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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870 Vol. 152, No. 2

16 PAGES - 2 Sections

Bridgton, Maine

January 13, 2022

Legal Notices . . . . . . . 2B

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Something ‘afoot’ with District Court?

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Could Bridgton District Court be leaving town in the future?

“Something may be a foot,” remarked Town Manager Robert Peabody as the Select Board Tuesday night approved terms to a new lease with the court system.

With the two sides agree-

ing on $57,411 annually, utility reimbursement, keeping five parking spaces on Chase Street open to court personnel, and the court taking over janitorial services for the 4,062 square-foot space, the language catching Peabody’s attention is the court system’s desire to proceed on a “month to month” basis — unlike the previous agreement which was a five-

year lease with extensions.”

The court also declined to pursue a previously discussed renovation.

The new agreement “only gives us a 30-day notice” regarding lease termination, Peabody said. “Month to month is not the standard.”

If the court were to move out, the town could either rent the space or use it for municipal purposes. At

press time, The News was unable to reach the court system for comment.

In other news: One resolved, one to court? Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Day’s plate become a little lighter when she learned from Selectman Bear Zaidman that a situation involving a dangerous building on 7 School Street has been cleared up.

Day was prepared to ask the Select Board if it would start Dangerous Building proceedings regarding an abandoned home, owned by Norman Huntress.

“We have had several complaints over the past several years regarding this abandoned house,” Day said.

Day said two certified letters had been sent to

the owner, but she had not received a reply. Zaidman told the board he had spoken to Huntress earlier in the day, and was told that the building would be demolished and debris removed within 30 days. According to Huntress, he had received one certified letter and the other had been placed in a folder and “forgotten,” BRIDGTON, Page 3A

Survey looks at both sides of coin

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — The people who work for the Town of Casco might in the middle range when it comes to salaries for similar positions around the state.

On the other side of the coin, town employees have good health insurance packages and other benefits compared to what other municipalities are offering.

The Compensation & Benefit Survey Report was completed in December 2021.

On Jan. 4, the Casco Board of Selectmen had a chance to hear the town manager’s summary and to discuss the document, which the board received last month.

“It is skewed toward the low end. Based on the survey, the majority of our staff are underpaid,” Casco Town Manager Anthony Ward said. “When you look at the benefits, the town is on point with a lot of it. Some things we can use some improvements on — according to the survey.”

After presenting a summary of the report, he commented about moving toward paying Casco staff what other towns provide as a wage.

“To get our staff to the market value, there will be a cost,” Ward said.

However, he believed that the town could shop around for health insurance and get more coverage for less money.

KMA Human Resources Consulting is the company that was contracted to provide the analysis. The municipalities which responded to questions about pay and benefit packages were: Bridgton, Harrison, Lyman, Naples, New Gloucester, North Berwick, North Yarmouth, Poland, Raymond, Sebago and Standish.

Ward stressed that all the pay-benefit comparisons SURVEY, Page 2A

Office:

End of the line?

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — Naples Selectman Bob Caron II understands that the Naples Town Office is nearing the end of its lifespan.

He would like to see in its place a new building that houses both the town hall and a community center that could serve residents here for many decades to come.

“The biggest issues that we see with the current town hall is: Number One: lack of space for current town employees with proper storage,” Caron said.

“The structural support entities — electrical, heating, ventilation, water — are all under-sized. There is no more room for growth there.”

“Number two: The building has no potential to expand on because of the structure. It cannot meet the growth of the community for 10 years out,” he said.

A municipality should aim “to build a facility that lasts 50 to 75 years. The goal is to have a building that is going to be on the property for 50 to 75 years like this current building has operated,” Caron said.

Then, there is the gym

INTERESTING ICE PATTERNS form on Moose Pond. Nancy Campbell captured this long view down the Middle Basin toward Route 302 via a drone.

‘Term’ delays solar consideration

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer LOVELL — Before Lovell planners can apply land use standards regarding Walden Renewables proposed array off Christian Hill and Shave Hill Roads,

they need to determine what term best fits the solar energy farm.

Under the town’s Land Use Ordinance, there is Table 6.2 that includes manufacturing and telecommunication facilities.

Since “solar” is not amongst the listed terms, as directed by the ordinance, the Planning Board has to assign a term that is the best fit. Planners faced a similar situation recently when they received a self-storage facility application. The ordinance does not include the term “self-storage” so the board selected the term “warehouse,” and proceeded to apply performance standards.

Walden officials reiterated to planners during last Wednesday’s regularly scheduled meeting — moved to the fire station to meet the expected large public turnout — that during initial conversations

with Code Enforcement Officer Alan Broyer, it was thought that solar’s best fit was telecommunications.

Planning Board Chairman Heinrich Wurm studied the town’s chart and when he substituted “solar” in place of “telecommunication,” he thought it was a good fit, especially considering a variety of standards that would need to be met under the Land Use Ordinance.

Attorney Paul F. Driscoll, who represents Our Eden Association (a non-profit whose directors reside or own Lovell property), proposed an alternative — manufacturing. Driscoll TERM, Page 3A

‘Code’ revenue 4X higher in ’21

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — Growth can be a beautiful thing.

Sometimes, growing pains or periods of adjustment come with that growth.

As the Naples Board of Selectmen was looking over department budgets, it became apparent why the code enforcement office is so busy. Comparing 2021 to 2020 — there is four times the amount of revenue being brought into the code enforcement department, Vice-chair Bob Caron II pointed out.

“With this increase, is our staff equipped to handle it,” Caron said. “Number one: Are we getting back to people in a timely manner? And Number Two: Is [Planner] Ben [Smith] able to handle it?”

The discussion took place Monday during the selectHEAR THE SQUEAK — The stairs aren’t up to code. At one time, town staff had to go up and down the stairs to retrieve information. For safety reasons, most of the men’s meeting.

Chairman Jim Grattelo said the dollar amount was misboxes of files ended up in the extra meeting room at the Naples Town Office.

(De Busk Photos) leading as to how many permits were being issued.

“You are apt to just look at the dollars. We have several that is in need of repair, big projects that are bringing in big dollars,” he said. even to the untrained eye.

He requested code enforcement staff “to look at the numPeriodically, the gym roof ber of permits versus the dollar amount. They [the permits] leaks. A grouping of ceiling REVENUE, Page 2A panels has been removed because of water damage and the insulation is either hanging out or at least visible.

Established 1870 “From an activity standP.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. point, our recreation departBridgton, ME 04009 ment cannot even offer a GYMNASIUM CEILING — For a number of years, 207-647-2851 lot of activities because we the Naples Town Gym has had a leaky roof. Also, the Fax: 207-647-5001 don’t have the inside space gym’s electrical components are reaching the end of life span. bnews@roadrunner.com OFFICE, Page 2A

The Bridgton News

Area news

Page 2A, The Bridgton News, January 13, 2022

Naples Town Office reached end of line? met. The committee had requested that Harriman Architects get more accurate cost estimates. The committee had reduced the square footage to make the building more compact, and also determined exactly which materials would be used.

It is expected that Harriman will provide those numbers in February. The town hall-community center question will be presented as a referendum during the school budget vote in May. The ballot-style voting draws a bigger turnout

than annual town meeting so selectmen decided to put the question there.

Prior to that, there will be informational postcards mailed to residents. Also, public workshops will be held so people can ask questions about the construction project.

MORE THAN JUST CLERKS’ COUNTERS Last week, Naples Town Manager John Hawley and Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Kate Matthews provided a tour of the building.

Hawley said that many residents are unaware of the

(Continued from Page 1A) will be broken down into categories: Shoreland Zoning, small decks and sheds, commercial, and rebuilds and small houses,” Grattelo said.

“Some building permits do not have a long process,” he said.

Caron steered the conversation back to taking care of the public’s needs, the needs of the applicants who go before the planning board.

“We need to figure out from a town standpoint that the planner has time to talk to people so that they aren’t blindsided. Are we taking care of permits in timely manner?”

Selectman Kevin Rogers was attending the meeting via Zoom. He spoke up from the TV screen.

“Are you hearing otherwise,” Rogers asked.

“I’ve heard a few complaints,” Caron said.

He said it was obvious that the workload was bigger.

“The revenue is the biggest stream alone,” Caron said. “Even though we have a couple big projects, there is a lot more revenue. A lot of business is being directed to the Town of Naples.”

Later in the conversation, Selectman Ted Shane returned to the topic of public complaints.

“Is anyone else hearing complaints about the code office not returning phone calls,” Shane asked. “Is that where you were going with that Kevin?”

Rogers answered.

“No, not particularly,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything from the public.

But based on the number of projects, I’ve wondered how they are holding up in there.”

First, Caron talked about his view of the role of the planner. Later, Grattelo addressed Ben Smith’s role as part-time planner.

“My understanding with

the town planner is: The planner is supposed to give the information ahead of time, so [applicants] have their ducks in the row,” Caron said.

“Where the planner is involved, I have heard some commercial projects that the planner hasn’t returned the information for them to submit it. The whole point is we are trying to make it easier for these permits to go through,” Caron said.

Grattelo took the floor.

“First of all, the Town of Naples doesn’t have a planner,” he said.

The money to hire a fulltime planner was approved at a past annual town meeting, but nobody applied for the job when it was advertised, according to Grattelo.

“So, we hired a consultant,” he said.

“The planner’s responsibility is to protect the Town of Naples. The planner is not hired for the businesses. The planner was hired because of the increase of development in Naples, primarily due to COVID-19. The planner is also representing other towns. He has had his issues with COIVD and staff as well. I have heard that some of that paperwork has fallen behind,” Grattelo said.

“It was never envisioned that the town hired a planner for the businesses,” he said.

Selectman Shane said that is not what the community thinks.

“They are under the impression that Ben is our planner, and that is who they should be going to,” Shane said.

Naples Town Manager John Hawley outlined the role of Planner Ben Smith.

This person is primarily concerned with the best interests of the town. He reviews the applications to make sure the plans are in accordance with the town’s land-use standards. The planner make notes for how the planning board should act, what is appropriate for the planning board to do, Caron said it would be helpful if the planner or his staff reviewed the applicant’s paperwork and sent correspondence, letting the applicant know if a plan doesn’t meet a certain standard.

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The gym (with its two bathrooms plus showers) is also used as an emergency shelter.

The structural integrity of the gym is questionable.

The town does a good job of removing ice and snow from the roof that has been covered with a tarp for the past three winters. Any serious damage might be hidden behind the walls.

“Who knows how much water has gotten down inside the walls. The whole thing is damaged,” Matthews said.

Hawley said, “We question the air quality because we don’t have access to the walls. We know there is mold in the ceiling. It was black mold. Without tearing off the paneling on a wall, we aren’t really sure.”

Also, a licensed electrician warned the town that the building could not handle any additional electric loads.

“There are power surges in this building multiple times every day,” Hawley said. “We are not sure if it is an internal thing or from outside, but no one else has these problems. We have backup power supplies for our computers that are kicking on all day. That tells me we are loosing power here on a daily basis. But I cannot tell you if that is because

of water in the walls or why it’s happening.”

In fact, there are signs that say if a person is using the microwave, unplug or don’t use other this appliance at the same time.

“When someone is using the microwave, the heater goes off,” Hawley said.

“Or the computers turn off,” Matthews said.

“We have to reset breakers here on a regular basis,” Hawley said. “We make it work, but it’s not ideal.”

NOT ENOUGH OFFICE SPACE During the day-time, behind the clerk’s counter, employees are busy in tiny offices.

Since Hawley started as town manager, he has moved his office three times to make room for additional staff. In other words, new people have been hired and the offices have been reduced in size.

Some of the offices don’t have windows or heat. The Finance Director/Human Resource Director Harriet Libby has an inner office.

She has to straddle oblong boxes of files, paperwork that she needs access to every day.

“When we carved out these offices, we had to use the space we had. All these interior offices don’t have OFFICE, Page 3A

(Continued from Page 1A) were dealing with the public sector, i.e., town and city government. There were no private sector jobs included in the survey, he said.

The comparison was done by percentiles. In other words, if the town fell into the 25th percentile, that means that 75 percent of other towns pay more or provide greater benefits.

As far as pay rates by position or job title, some of Casco staff fell into the 50th percentile.

When it came to retirement, Casco did not match employee’s investment as much as other towns.

“The vast majority of the communities were in the Maine State Retirement plan,” Ward said. “Right now, we contribute 3 per-

cent. We are on the low end of contribution toward retirement.”

However, Casco had a decent health care plan, Ward said. The town covers about 80 percent of the premium for an employee’s family members: children and spouse.

“Coverage of individual employees, we were at 80 percent,” he said. “We could minimize the cost for town, but increase the benefits for our employees. With retirement, there is cost. With health insurance, we might find a better product for our employees at a lower cost.”

He told the board members as they reviewed the document, it is a philosophical viewpoint of paying employees the going rate, but keeping residents’ taxes low.

“It is a philosophy of what you want your town employees to be paid at,” he said.

It was suggested — as a starting point — to bring the pay up to the 50 percentile for those employees being paid less than that.

Vice Chairman Bob MacDonald like the idea of giving employees options: a better retirement plan or insurance plan.

“Ones with families will want more on the insurance,” he said.

Ward said that was doable.

“At the board’s direction, I’ve been very open with staff [about this process].

Here is what is going to happen. The company is going to provide the cost analysis,” he said.

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poor conditions of the town hall building.

“The vast majority of people who use this building, come through and this is what they see. They walk through the front door, they see the counter and then they leave. They don’t see all these other spaces in the building. Some of these folks who are questioning why we need a new building don’t fully see what we see every day and why it needs to be upgraded,” Hawley said. “The biggest concern for this building is the gymnasium. The town office itself — although we are undersized and maxed out for space — we could continue to survive here for however much longer,” he said.

“We know that the gym needs to be replaced because of the roof issues, the structural issues. The drawback with replacing just the gym is that all the mechanical components that operate in the gym exist in the town office side of the building. And, as you see from the [engineering] reports, all the mechanical systems are reaching end of life,” he said.

Therefore, replacing just the gym would require doubling-back and replacing all the mechanical systems in the very near future.

2T1

for our children, for our adults, for our seniors who are asking for activities. We don’t have an idea if the programs would be successful or not because we don’t have the infrastructure to implement them,” Caron said.

“We have a gym we can’t even use,” he said.

“There are a lot of things over the years that have been snowballing; and unfortunately, it has come to this point.”

On Tuesday night, the Naples Community Center Exploratory Committee had

Area news

January 13, 2022 The Bridgton News, Page 3A

Bridgton notes

What term to use?

(Continued from Page 1A) suggested that the arrays — proposed for 177 acres — manufacture energy. This designation is not allowed in certain areas.

Wurm did reach out to Maine Municipal Association for opinions.

Rebecca McMahon, a MMA staff attorney, returned the following response, which was partially read at last week’s meeting: “I do not think the planning board would be able to formally delay consideration of an application for a conditional use permit until the March town meeting if an application has already been submitted to the board.

If the application has not yet been submitted, perhaps there is a way to informally encourage the application to delay submitting the application, but there is no way to force them to do so. If an application has been filed, the planning board is obligated to proceed to consider the application in accordance with the time frames and procedural requirements outlined in your ordinance.

“I have reviewed the definition in your ordinance for ‘telecommunications facil-

ity’ and I do not think a solar farm is sufficiently similar to this definition to warrant review as such. Just so you are aware, for purposes of shoreland zoning, the Maine DEP has confirmed that large-scale solar projects, which generate electricity, are considered commercial uses in the shoreland zone; they are not considered ‘essential services.’ In my opinion, a commercial-scale solar project is not a ‘telecommunication facility’ and more than it is an ‘essential service.’ However, I was struggling to find another listed use that might be more suitable. It seems that a moratorium ordinance would be a better option than attempting to fit a commercial solar development into an ill-fitting existing box in your land use ordinance.

“It is possible for the town to enact a moratorium ordinance on solar development so the town can amend its ordinance to include adequate regulations, but in order for it to have any possibility of applying to the proposed project in question, the process would probably need

(Continued from Page 2A) heat so we’ve had to put in little individual space heaters. There is no circulation,” Hawley said. “This building was built in the 1940s. We are constantly cold.”

The code enforcement department does not have enough room or enough privacy, Matthews said.

Because of the close proximity of the tiny offices and the lack of extra insulation, conversations and people passing down hallway

are constant distractions and prevent discussions from being private, she said.

“A lot of code enforcement stuff — violations, people’s plans — it is very secretive and we don’t want it to get around town. Everybody can hear everything. The layout is too small. It isn’t currently working for the day and age we are in,” she said.

Then, there is logistics. It is hard to open up and review tax maps in

LOTS TO REVIEW — Lovell Planning Board Chairman Heinrich Wurm flips through pages of the proposed solar array project. Left, Lovell town attorney James Katsiaficas speaks to the audience. to be initiated sooner than Wurm reviewed the March. Although state law process to date — noting limits a municipality’s abil- one meeting with Walden ity to apply new ordinances officials was somewhat of – including moratoria – on a pre-application session, ‘pending proceedings,’ it which the proposal was is possible for a carefully unveiled, and that another drafted moratorium ordi- meeting was “hijacked” by nance to apply retroactively the public, which expressed to pending or already per- opinions regarding the plan, mitted projects.” leaving little opportunity for A public hearing on a board members to raise their proposed moratorium will own questions. be held on Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.

In response to the at the fire station followed MMA opinion, Kenworthy by a special town meeting declined the idea that the on Jan. 25. company would delay movPlanners heard from ing forward with the appliseveral residents regard- cation until the moratorium ing the project, and Wurm is acted upon. He felt the noted that letters for and delay in determining which against the project had term to use that night was a been received. Those let- delay tactic. ters were entered into the Lovell’s legal counsel, public record, and Wurm James N. Katsiaficas, clarinoted that the letters could fied the application process. be viewed either in-person He pointed that the appliat the town office or on the cation cannot be deemed town website. “complete” until planners When the matter of determine “what it is.” whether the Walden appliAdmittedly overcation is complete, Jack whelmed with submitted Kenworthy of Walden information, most planners Renewables believes the were not ready to decide company filed a complete term designation that night, application back in October, needing more time for and has been patiently wait- review and consideration. ing for planners to start a The next planning board review process. meeting is Feb. 2.

End of the line for town office?

THE BRIDGTON NEWS

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“We are a growing town for sure. There is just not enough space in this building. It is not laid out correctly. It is not ideal for anybody,” Matthews said. “My office is so small that I am dropping stuff off my desk because I have no room.”

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(Continued from Page 1A) Zaidman said.

“He apologizes” for the lack of action, Zaidman said.

Town Manager Bob Peabody requested that the agreed action be in writing. While Zaidman gave Day a phone number to contact Huntress, Peabody suggested that “he should be contacting us — the CEO.” “Rule of thumb, the letters (sent) ask him to contact me.

If I can get the phone number, I will contact him to put something on record,” Day said.

Day also sought what direction the Select Board wanted to take in collecting a $2,500 fine it had levied against Richard Danis for a land use violation at 17 Elm Street.

Danis was fined after a storage container had been left on the property long after a permit had expired, as well as failure to remove debris from the property. Danis ultimately had the tractor-trailer container removed, but had yet to pay the fine levied by the Select Board.

“He’s contacted me several times, but hasn’t paid the fine,” Day said. “We’ve given Mr. Danis a very long time to resolve this issue. We’ve made several tries. It’s not like we’re putting the hammer down in a week, it’s been a long, drawn out process.”

Looking to avoid incurring more costs associated with this case, which Day says has taken place over a couple of years, the Select Board wondered whether Day could represent the town in small-claims court. Day will see if it is an option, but noted it would be her first such case.

Zaidman noted that even if the town prevails in small claims court, collecting could still be a “fruitless battle” if the individual fails to pay, resulting in returning to court.

“What is the cost of staff time?” Zaidman asked.

“A fine is a fine,” said Select Board Chairwoman Carmen Lone.

Day noted that the fine could have been “substantially” higher if the board had imposed the $100 per day charge.

The board asked if a lien could be placed on the home as a way to collect the fine owed. “Yes, but we would have to go to court to do that,” Day noted.

The board voted unanimously to “pursue legal remedies” to collect the fine.

Should town get a cut? If the Greater Bridgton-Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce sells the Information Center on Portland Road, Selectman Bear Zaidman feels the town should get a cut.

The town donated the land to the Chamber for a $1 (Town Manager Bob Peabody was only able to find a quit-claim deed dated Jan. 10, 1990), and Zaidman feels it would show “good faith” to local taxpayers if the Chamber “returned some of the money back.”

In 1989, the land value was $21,600.

Zaidman said that amount could be used to help jumpstart a local senior tax relief program, which officials also discussed Tuesday night. The program would enable people 70 years and older and who have been residents for 20 years.

“There’s no obligation (for the Chamber to return some money), but I hope they consider it,” Zaidman added.

What to do with the Memorial School? That has been a question that has been kicked around for years now.

Select Board Chairwoman Carmen Lone wants to set up a meeting with SAD 61 officials to discuss the issue — what can the property be used for — at a future school board meeting.

One option, Zaidman proposed, was to demolish the building and create a park area, maybe an amphitheater, where people can gather and hold music events, such as the Music on Main series.

“Let’s get rid of the building and do something there to better the town,” Zaidman said.

Field talk. Select Board members plan to meet with Bridgton Recreation Advancement Group (BRAG) leaders BRIDGTON, Page 6A

Reservations are due by January 19 1T2

Police news

Page 4A, The Bridgton News, January 13, 2022

Fryeburg Police log

RAFFLE WINNERS SELECTED — The Knights of Columbus Fr. McGivney Council 11376 of Bridgton/Fryeburg would like to thank the town of Bridgton for the use of the Depot Street parking lot and Food City and Hayes Hardware, both of Bridgton, for allowing members of the council to sell raffle tickets and Christmas wreaths at their locations during November and December. The cash raffle and wreath sales were a huge success thanks to their support. The winners of the raffle were Sara Dempster of Bridgton ($500), Gilles Labelle of Bridgton ($250) and Nash Shane of Naples ($100). Congratulation to all of the winners. Pictured drawing the winning tickets are (left to right) Paul Heneghan, Grand Knight Pat Bracken and Financial Secretary Tom Leonard.

These items appeared on the Fryeburg Police Department log (this is a partial listing): Tuesday, January 4 12:44 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Smith Street.

2:50 p.m.

Assist Fryeburg Rescue on Smith Street.

8:14 p.m. Found lost property on Elm Street.

Wednesday, January 5 4:29 and 4:42 a.m. Motor vehicle stops on Main Street; warnings issued.

8:05 a.m. 9-1-1 hangup call on Hemlock Bridge Road.

1:34 p.m. Found property on Bridgton Road.

Thursday, January 6 5:25 p.m. Motor vehicle crash (non-reportable) on Main Street, near the fairgrounds.

Friday, January 7 7:45 a.m. Motor vehicle crash at intersection of

Bridgton Police Department 1:12 p.m. Possible subject through the ice off Power House Road; fire department personnel and Maine Warden Service, along with use of Windham Police’s drone, checked the area. Male located a short time later on the ice.

He was safe and had been out skating.

1:54 p.m. Report of several bald eagles surrounding “something with a large amount of blood” at The Birches — found to be carcass of a deceased deer.

5:39 p.m. Car-deer collision on South High Street.

10:32 p.m. Suspicious truck parked on Route 302 near the Bridgton Drive-In. Three subjects identified with “no issues.”

Wednesday, January 5 1:29 p.m. Man arrested at a Chase Street location on an active warrant.

11:11 p.m. Mental health

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event on Knights Hill Road.

Thursday, January 6 11:32 a.m. Dispute between former employer and employee at a Portland Road location; one trespass notice served.

12:42 p.m. Dispute between family members on Sweden Road.

3:21 p.m. Dispute between family members on Sweden Road; one subject transported to hospital emergency department for an unrelated medical issue.

3:48 p.m. Assist rescue personnel for a child in crisis.

3:56 p.m. Assist to fire department on Depot Street.

Friday, January 7 1:12 a.m. A male was arrested for possession of scheduled drugs at a Main Street location.

11:48 a.m. Two vehicles on Main Street were in violation of the town’s parking ban, prohibiting snow removal efforts; owners notified to move the vehicles.

3:20 p.m. Two vehicle crash at intersection of Mountain Road and North High Street; minor damage, no injuries.

6:16 p.m. Assist county deputy with an OUI incident.

Saturday, January 8 4:12 a.m. Drug overdose situation resulting in CPR and administering Narcan; subject transported by ambulance to the hospital.

12:39 p.m. Lost wallet turned in, returned to owner.

5:41 p.m. Mental health crisis at Sawyer Circle; subject taken to the hospital.

7:14 p.m. Man arrested for operating while under the influence following a stop at the intersection of North High Street and Sam Ingalls Road. Subject also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

8 p.m. Attempt to locate vehicle, reportedly crossing the center line on Portland Road; unable to locate.

Sunday, January 9 12:11 a.m. Request to check subject walking on North High Street.

3:40 p.m. Assist United Ambulance with medical emergency on Wells Road.

6:19 p.m. Assist citizen concerning Department of Health and Human Services issue.

Monday, January 10 12:47 a.m. Assist citizen who was locked out of Mt. Henry Road home.

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Her 100 climbs

(Continued from Page 5A) Although the event was auspicious, the weather certainly wasn’t. There were about six inches of heavy, wet snow on the trail and, just as the small group started up the Dearborn Trail, the rain began to fall. Predicted at 90% chance of rain for the entire morning, the light rain and drizzle stayed with the group all the way to the summit and back down. Temperatures were just above freezing, but at the top with the rain and in the clouds and mist it was uncomfortably cool.

For the hike up, everyone donned microspikes and were plagued by the wet snow “clumping” underfoot as we climbed. It was slow going, and it took two hours to reach the fire tower. In contrast, a summer climb in the dry normally takes only 1¼ to 1½ hours.

As a special treat for JoAnne, Ranger Trask opened the tower “box” where the forest fire lookout works. Visitors are not usually allowed in the tower and Trask had gotten special permission to allow JoAnne up there on this special occasion.

He explained the various tools that the lookout uses, and they strained to see the ocean. However, the summit and the tower were wreathed in fog and mist and this day there was a wonderful view of nothing.

He also had a bag full of “swag” for her to commemorate the occasion, and Allen had brought a bottle of champagne to celebrate. No speeches, but lots of good wishes and congratulations. It is a rare occasion when someone has the fortitude to make and stick to such an ambitious goal, and to achieve it as well!

After JoAnne changed into dry clothes and Allen put on his puffy jacket under his rain jacket, we headed off in the fog and mist back down to the cars. It only took us an hour to hike back down, with a bit of sliding on the now even wetter and slipperier snow.

The Moral of the Story The mountain remains the same massive peak it has been for thousands of years, and I am sure the tread of countless hikers’ boots climbing up and down it to its summit have made little if any impact on it. However, setting and meeting such an ambitious long-term goal has had a great impact on JoAnne Murphy, the lady hiker. She has shown grit and ambition, and dedication to a quest that I’m sure she had no inkling would take 21 years to achieve.

Climb #100 on New Year’s Day 2022 was a significant achievement and is a lesson for all of us what we can achieve if only we put our mind to it and persevere. Congratulations JoAnne for a task well done — you are a shining example for everyone!

Green Mountain in Carroll County, Effingham, NH Difficulty – Moderate Trail distance –1.4 miles via Dearborn Trail Hiking time – 1½ hours to the summit Elevation – 1,883 feet Vertical gain – 1,383 feet Coordinates – 43° 46’ 5” N 71° 2’ 9” W Topographic Map – USGS Freedom 7.5-minute quad Directions to the High Watch trailhead: Take Green Mountain Road from Route 25 in Effingham Falls, turn left onto High Watch Road at the small “Fire Tower” sign. Pass the large Lakeview Rehabilitation Facility on the right and just beyond the road ends and there is parking. The trailhead is on the right.

To the Dearborn trailhead: Take Route 16 North to Route 153. Take Route 153 North to Lord’s Hill in Effingham and at the sharp corner turn left onto Hobbs Road at the Normal House sign. Hobbs Road is dirt. The parking lot is on the right, and the trailhead is at the back of the parking lot.

To the Libby trailhead: Take Green Mountain Road from Route 25 in Effingham Falls. Bear left onto Champion Road, and left again onto Libby Road at the small fire tower sign.

The road is rough dirt. Trailhead is at the top of the hill on the left.

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1:57 p.m. Civil matter on Jockey Cap Lane.

5:10 p.m. Assist Fryeburg Rescue on Portland Street.

6:03 p.m. Attempt to locate on Portland Street.

Sunday, January 9 10:36 p.m.

Assist Fryeburg Rescue on Pebble Circle Monday, January 10 5:16 a.m. Burglar alarm on Carter Hill Road.

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These items appeared on the Bridgton Police Department blotter (this is a partial listing): Monday, January 3 9:01 a.m. Theft of two snowmobiles on Plummer’s Landing Road; located abandoned not far from owner’s home.

9:46 p.m. Alleged domestic violence assault with minor injuries reported at Fosterville Road location; investigation ongoing.

Tuesday, January 4 7:57 a.m. Welfare check on Upper Ridge Road.

9:18 a.m. Citizen assist regarding mail delivery.

12:07 p.m. Report of female with an active arrest warrant at Willett Road location; unable to locate subject.

12:32 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Sandy Creek Road; minor damage and no injuries reported.

Main and Maple Streets.

1:20 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Main Street, near the fairgrounds.

11:50 p.m. Assist agency on Shave Hill Road in Lovell.

Saturday, January 8 10:34 a.m. Suspicious person on Morningside Drive.

11:46 a.m. Mental health event on Lovewell Pond Road.

#112

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Regional Sports

January 13, 2022 The Bridgton News, Page 5A

Low numbers, high on effort LR 40, FA 24

AGGRESSIVE DRIVE TO THE RIM by Lake Region sophomore guard Abby Lavoie against FA defenders Shelby Purslow (#10) and Emily Walker.

HOOP HIGHLIGHTS Raiders 65, Lakers 50: It was the Will & Bobby Show Tuesday night as the Hallam brothers combined for 41 points to lead host Fryeburg Academy (3-5) past Lake Region (5-5).

Lumbering center Will Hallam scored 16 of his teamhigh 22 points in the first half as the Raiders built a 37-28 lead at the break.

Senior Bobby Hallam had the hot hand early, scoring 9 of the team’s 22 points in the first quarter. He knocked down three 3-pointers on the night, finishing with 19 points.

Liam Quinn chipped in 7 points, including a third quarter trey, while Jordan Zerner added 5, Bryce Richardson had 4, Roy Mugabe 4 and Geri Daiv 2.

FA enjoyed a 16-13 third quarter run, and closed out the game with a 12-9 advantage.

Jacob Chadbourne paced the LR attack with 22 points, including a perfect 10-of-10 from the foul line. Noah Duprey connected on four 3-pointers to finish with 18 points. Brock Gibbons chipped in 4 points, Wesley Martin 3 and Jackson Libby had 3 points.

Gray-NG 69, Lakers 57: When you fall into a 30-7 hole to start the game, it’s awful hard to dig yourself out — especially when you are minus a senior starter.

Gray-NG bolted to a 23-point first quarter lead, but then found themselves in a bit of a dog fight as the Lakers went on a 38-27 second half run.

Jacob Chadbourne tossed in 19 points to go with 6 rebounds and 2 steals, while freshman center Jackson Libby added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Wesley Martin scored 6 points and hauled down 5 rebounds, while Brock Gibbons also had 6 points and 2 assists.

Other LR contributors were Evan Duprey 6 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals; and Noah Duprey 2 points.

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer In a normal basketball season, coaches Billie L’Heureux and Paul True could look down their respective benches and try to decide which player to send into the game.

The choices Monday night were slim.

Injuries and COVID had claimed five varsity regulars on both teams, forcing the coaches to go to JV players or use just two subs.

“It’s been challenging, yet fun at the same time,” Lake Region Coach Paul True said. “It has afforded some kids opportunities that they are trying to take full advantage of. When you are down to seven kids, you try to keep things pretty basic.

We talk a lot about effort and being confident in what they are doing. Even if they don’t know what they are supposed to do, they just need to play hard and try to figure it out. We don’t want them to over-think it, because then you have a tendency to stop playing. I was very proud of how hard we played tonight.”

For some, like Lake Region sophomore point guard Abby Lavoie, it would be a “rest when you can during timeouts” and try your best to complete the 32-minute marathon.

Lavoie responded to the physical and emotional challenge, playing tenacious defense and running at full tilt whenever she touched the basketball.

Lavoie scored 7 points and forced multiple turnovers to lead Lake Region (3-6) to a 40-24 victory over Fryeburg Academy (2-3).

“Abby plays so hard.

Right now, she is always going 100 mph. We’re trying to work with her to slow down a little,” Coach True said. “She has amazing energy. Tonight, she was all over the court. Like a lot of our kids, Abby has been

a ‘pass’ first kid. You can’t play that way. We’re trying to change the focus to being a scorer, getting to the rim and take a shot. If there is no shot, then look to pass.

Abby and others are progressing.”

Both teams spent most of the night looking to pound the ball into the paint. FA took an 8-6 lead in the first as center Shelby Purslow showed a soft shooting touch.

After Emily Walker converted a steal into a fastbreak layup to give the Raiders a 12-9 lead, LR Coach Paul True called a timeout. His sideline talk sparked the Lakers as they went on an 11-0 run over the final 5:35 to build a 22-12 halftime lead.

Freshman Margo Tremblay confidently launched and sank a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up 14-12. Lavoie picked a FA player’s pocket and raced the other way for a layup. LR used its size advantage as center Ava Smith (8 points, 9 rebounds) scored off a smooth baseline drive, and senior forward Liz Smith closed out the half with two “I will not be denied” power drives.

Smith was a tough match-up for the Raiders as she muscled to the rim for high percentage shots, while also showing a nice passing touch, setting up teammates for easy scores when FA tried to double team.

“Coming back from injury has been frustrating for Liz. She showed tonight her abilities and did a great job settling us down,” Coach True noted.

The Lakers found themselves down to just one sub when Ava Smith twisted her ankle with 4:15 left in the third. But, the Lakers maintained a double-digit edge thanks to the gritty play of freshman Bella Smith, who EFFORT, Page 6A

Celebrating 100 Green Mtn. climbs This is a story about a mountain and a lady hiker with an indomitable quest to conquer that mountain, not once but 100 times. For 21 years, she never took her eyes off that goal and finally achieved it on New Year’s Day 2022!

The Mountain If you stand on the long crescent beach of Province Lake in Effingham, N.H., the mass of Green Mountain dominates the skyline to the north. At 1,883 feet in elevation, Green Mountain is not nearly as lofty as its 4,000-foot peak cousins in the White Mountains to the north, nor even as a few of the Ossipee Mountains to the west. Green Mountain,

however, it is a formidable peak in its own right, primarily because it is isolated from these other taller peaks and its mass stands out prominently on its own.

Because Green Mountain is such a prominent local peak, it has become a popular mountain to climb. Three slopes of the mountain have well-marked hiking trails that each climb at a moderately steep rate for about 1½ miles to the summit.

Reaching the summit is not overly difficult, but it does require grit and dedication, particularly if weather or trail conditions are unfavorable. Youth from the summer camps on the Ossipee Lakes and New Hampshire’s Carroll

County have climbed Green Mountain as group outings for years. I used to live in Effingham and remember climbing the mountain to pick the wild blueberries that grew in the shadow of the old forest fire tower at the summit, as many other locals have done. Others come to climb Green Mountain for the exercise it provides and for the summit views. The reward of reaching the summit is the sweeping vista of lakes and mountains visible from there.

On a clear day, you can even see the Atlantic Ocean.

Thankfully, much of Green Mountain is protected for use by the public. The Society for the Preservation of New Hampshire Forests owns 2,171 acres on Green Mountain as the High Watch Preserve, purchased in 2007, and also maintains the three hiking trails to the summit.

There is a steel fire tower operated on a part-time, high-risk-only basis by the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands in the 15-acre Green Mountain State Forest at the top of the mountain. The tower has been there since 1921 and was renovated in 2015 replacing the “box” on the top of the tower and upgrading the steel lattice work of the tower itself.

The Mountain Hiker Although many have climbed Green Mountain over the years, I am not aware of any hiker who had set such an ambitious goal of climbing it 100 times. Even more amazing is that same hiker A champagne toast for JoAnne Murphy after complet- persevering for 21 years to ing her 100th hike to Green Mountain. successfully meet her goal.

(Photo by Gail Tebbetts) JoAnne Murphy has

lived in the shadow of Green Mountain in Effingham, near the Dearborn Trailhead, since 1993. I first met JoAnne at the Freedom Library in May 2013 when my wife and I went to a talk by the authors of It’s Not About the Hike.

JoAnne accepted my invitation to come hike with the Denmark Mountain Hikers on some of our weekly rambles around Maine and New Hampshire, and she has done so many times. Her first hike with the group was to Sentinel Mountain in Center Ossipee in June 2013.

JoAnne is a serious mountain hiker and has climbed all of the New Hampshire 4,000-footers, completing peak #48 on Mount Madison in June 2012. She completed the 67 Highest Peaks in New England with Mt. Katahdin in July 2015 when she was 65. In an Effingham adaption of the Grid (an obscure peak bagging challenge for the most hardcore New England hikers to summit all 48 New Hampshire 4,000-footers in every month of the calendar year), JoAnne climbed Green Mountain in every month in 2010-2011 for a total of 12 times.

She is an old and dear friend, and I was not at all surprised when she shared her vision of climbing the mountain in her back yard, Green Mountain, for a total of 100 times in all seasons, under all weather conditions.

“When did you start climbing Green Mountain?”

I asked JoAnne.

“I believe it was in spring/ summer 2001 with my neighbor, who had owned the Squire Lord Manor on

BATTLE FOR THE BALL (top) between FA’s Emily Walker (left) and LR’s Bri Sargent; below Raider Sydney Shaw looks for help as she is double teamed by Lakers’ Bri Sargent and Bella Smith (#2).

Senior Rambles Hiking Trips & Tips

by Allen Crabtree Hobbs Road, Arthur Lorrie,” JoAnne replied. “He took me and two of my friends up Dearborn Trail. We did a loop hike to Libby trail and finally back to Hobbs Road. That was my first hike [on Green Mountain] and I have been climbing it a few times every year since.”

That first climb inspired JoAnne to set a personal goal of climbing the mountain 100 times. She has been faithfully recording each of her climbs in a logbook. She has done some of her hikes as a solo climber, but over the years more than 40 other hiking buddies have joined her.

Her climb on Easter 2015 was notable — it was hike #60 and had taken 14 years to get there, but it brought her more than half way to her goal. JoAnne felt even more sure then that she would achieve 100 climbs, although she didn’t know how long it would take. It ended up taking nearly another seven years to do so.

She has climbed all the Green Mountain trails, but prefers the Dearborn Trail close to her home. Some of the climbs have been in the bitter cold of winter when she lost feelings in her cold feet, and some in the heat of summer when the hot sun seemed to suck the vitality right out of you. She has endured the hordes of black flies that threaten to carry you away during the summer, and the

battalions of ticks that seem to lie in wait for the hapless hiker on the trails during tick season. JoAnne has slogged through the trail full of standing water from snowmelt and heavy rains, and icy coatings on the rocks and ledges the trail traverses. Hiking after violent windstorms ravaged the mountain, JoAnne has had to work her way around and over numerous trees that had been blown down across the trail and hadn’t yet been removed. These are all part of the climbs that she has committed to in the quest for her 100-climb goal.

On many days, the weather has been clear and the views from the fire tower are spectacular.

“Once, I could even see the rippling waves out on the Atlantic Ocean the weather was so wonderful!” she recounts. On other days the clouds were so thick it was hard to make out the trail markers. But, through it all she persisted, recording each climb on the path to 100 climbs!

100 climbs — goal met!

She made her 100th climb on New Year’s Day 2022, culminating 21 years of personal, focused effort. Joining JoAnne on this notable occasion were Division of Forests and Lands Forest Ranger Thomas Trask, and hiking friends Gail Murphy Tebbetts and Allen Crabtree.

100 CLIMBS, Page 4A

Continuations

Page 6A, The Bridgton News, January 13, 2022

Bridgton notes

(Continued from Page 3A) regarding transferring the field complex to the town.

BRAG would like to do it this year. With the budget season coming, town officials will meet with BRAG leaders on Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. to discuss the matter.

Oak Street sidewalk — A representative of SLR Consulting of Portland gave an overview of the Oak Street sidewalk project, which will extend 800 feet from Kansas Road,

along Oak Street, to Main Street. It would run on the opposite side of the roadway from Junior Harmon Field.

The estimated pricetag is $139,000, which includes a 15% contingency of $18,115. The five-foot-wide sidewalk would consist of asphalt, and possibly three light fixtures — as used on the Main Street revitalization project. Lighting and electrical is estimated at $60,000. The town will

survey residents along Oak Street regarding lighting.

Actual cost will be determined once bids are submitted. Town Manager Peabody said $130,000 in available, and another $40,000 being carried forward. If the project exceeds available funding, officials could either scrap street lights (there are no lights there now) or postpone the project.

Go or wait? Should the pay-per-bag issue be presented to voters at the June annual town meeting or should it be pushed back to allow more time to create public awareness?

Recycling Committee member Sally Chappell says her group wants to see the measure go to voters in June.

Selectman Bob McHatton agreed, but says taxpayers need to know three facts — how much will this change save the town, how much will it cost them, and how will it work (where bags can be purchased)?

Zaidman was a little skeptical whether all questions will be answered before people go to the polls.

He suggested that the town contact a company that three years ago pitched a propos-

End of the line for town office?

(Continued from Page 3A) Hawley agreed.

“If we add any staff now, there is no where to put them. They’d have to work remotely,” he said.

“We are running out of space,” Matthews contin-

ued. “It is unfortunate the way the layout of the building is. We could rehab but it would not solve the problems. We have such a waste of space just in the hallway.

It is humungous. It is bigger than my office.”

Then, there is the noise that carries rather than being muffled.

“You can hear everybody. It is a very loud office.

The staff can hear everyone in the gym doing pickleball or other activities. It is dis-

tracting,” she said.

Hawley agreed. His office is the farthest away from the counters where staff greet the public.

“I can hear the transactions going on at the front desk,” he said.

(Continued from Page 5A) had 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 points. Coach True also liked the defensive intensity turned in by senior guard Bri Sargent, who ripped away several steals as the Raiders tried to get the ball inside the paint.

FA senior Brooke Emery tried to keep her team close with a strong move to the rim and a steal that resulted in one of two foul shots.

But, FA trailed 32-17 after three frames.

Tremblay seemed to knock down a dagger when she canned her second 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter. LR went to

a slow down on the offensive end, showing patience until a player flashed open in the lane for an easy shot.

Sargent threaded the needle with a pass to Rebecca Caron for a layup with 1:52 left to make it 38-20.

FA’s Sydney Shaw scored twice on strong moves in the lane, but there would be no late rally for the Raiders.

“It was a perfect storm.

We only had six varsity players — others out due to COVID and injuries. We hadn’t played since Dec. 21 and we were rusty to say the least!” Raider Coach Billie L’Heureux said. “Lake

Region did an excellent job exploiting our weaknesses!

We need to take shots when the opportunity presents itself. I was a bit disappointed with our team defense, so we will be focusing on that.”

Coach L’Heureux admitted “it has been tough to keep them motivated — not knowing who can play and if games will be canceled.”

To date, the Raiders had four games canceled.

“It has been a challenge!” she added.

As the Laker lineup continues to fluctuate, Coach True continues to preach the same message, “There are just two things you can control, effort and attitude.”

He has seen steady growth in his squad, especially by reserves who had logged varsity minutes which will bode well for next year.

“This year has been a big melting pot with many different players getting opportunities. Because of

COVID, there are many moving parts all of the time. The process of coming together has taken longer than in a normal season,” Coach True said.

“The kids are making big strides. I am excited to see what the next three to four weeks bring.”

Raider stat lines: Brooke Emery 9 points, 6 rebounds; Sydney Shaw 6 points; Shelby Purslow 4 points, 5 rebounds; Emily Walker 3 points, 3 rebounds; Ally Southwick 1 point, 2 rebounds.

FA went 6-of-8 from the foul line.

Laker stat lines: Liz Smith 10 points, 11 rebounds; Ava Smith 8 points, 9 rebounds; Abby Lavoie 7 points, 2 rebounds; Margo Tremblay 7 points; Rebecca Caron 5 points, 2 rebounds; Bella Smith 2 points, 3 rebounds; Bri Sargent 1 point, 5 rebounds.

LR went 4-of-13 from the foul line.

LR/FA: Low numbers, big efforts

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al to do a public education campaign, in exchange for contracting with that firm to provide the bags used in the program.

The town will pursue this option.

Meanwhile, officials agreed that if the measure passes in June, there will be some “lag time” before it is implemented.

Decisions on what items will be on the town warrant are made on April 12, with the Select Board finalizing the warrant on May 10.

McHatton invited the

public to attend in-person Recycling Committee meetings, set to be held the second Thursday of the month in the Municipal Complex downstairs meeting room at 6:15 p.m.

The Select Board approved the nomination of Maureen Harpell to the Recycling Committee.

Approved. The Select Board approved a medical marijuana caregiver retail store license to Hoot Family Farm, doing business as OPUS, located at 4 Sustainable Way.

Calendar of Events Thursday, January 13 COVID vaccination clinic in Denmark from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Denmark Municipal Building. It is a drop-in, first-come, first-served event and no appointment is necessary. If you want a vaccine or a booster shot just come by the municipal building. Moderna, Pfizer 12-plus years, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available. The pharmacy is offering first, second, and booster doses. There will be no charge to individuals. If you have them, bring your vaccine record and/ or your insurance card, but they are not required. The clinic is hosted by the Denmark Congregational Church. Shots will be administered by Community Pharmacies, LLC. Saturday, January 15 Come play in the Snow, 10 a.m., Waterford Fairgrounds.

Texas Hold’em tournament, Harrison Lions Club at the Lions’ Den (in the back of the Block Building on Main Street in Harrison). There will be a $60 entry fee. Doors will open at 12 p.m. with a start time of 1 p.m. Please bring your masks.

Great food and refreshment are available. Proceeds will be used to support the Harrison Food Bank and the college scholarships.

Sunday, January 16 St. Peter’s Church Sunday Service at 10 a.m., at 42 Sweden Road, Bridgton.

Tuesday, January 18 Free Nalaxone Community Training on Zoom at 10 a.m.

Lake Region Recovery Center is partnering with Maine Access Points to offer these trainings every other month.

Either stop by LRRC to Zoom or access from home with meeting ID #86337728738. Call the Center for more info at 803-8707.

Wednesday, January 19 Ceramics with Rita, 5;30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wilkins House, Waterford. Contact Harrison Rec Director Kayla Laird at 5832241 or klaird@harrisonmaine.org to reserve your spot. All projects will be completed and taken home on the same night.

Thursday, January 20 Free Hep. C and HIV Testing, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lakes Region Recovery Center. Rapid results. Location: behind old Bridgton Hospital, private entrance for Recovery Center.

Rotary guest speaker will be Gregg Dowty, Ed. D., from the Dover, N.H. Rotary Club, District 77870 Protection Officer, at 7:30 a.m. via Zoom. His topic will be, “The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) on Human Development and Health Challenges.” For the Zoom link, e-mail gszoksbox@gmail.com Saturday, January 22 Public supper. The Bridgton/Fryeburg Knights of Columbus will host a great supper at 5 p.m. in the St. Joseph Parish Hall at 225 South High Street in Bridgton. Take home meals will also be available. The cost is $10 per person. The menu is: chicken parmesan, spaghetti, salad and for a special dessert, bread pudding with bourbon sauce!

Saturday, January 29 Met Opera Live in HD presents “Rigoletto” at 1 p.m. at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center at Fryeburg Academy. Estimated run time: 2 hours, 40 minutes. Opera enthusiast Joe De Vito will be hosting his Opera Lecture Series in the LHE/PAC Seminar Room on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. The lectures are free and open to the public. For ticket information, go to www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac Saturday, February 5 Texas Hold’em, Jackson-Silver Post 68, 595 Gore Road, Locke Mills. Doors open at 11 a.m., games begin at 1 p.m. $50 buy-in, high hand option. BYOB (anyone under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). Meals and beverages available. FMI, call Ray at 890-3737.

For weekly events listing, go to our website, www.bridgton. com

This week’s puzzle theme:

The Grammy Awards

ACROSS 1. Chunk of land 6. Sail alternative 9. Female sheep, pl.

13. Oak, in Spanish 14. Nucleic acid acronym 15. “____ under fire” 16. Permeate 17. Internet meme move 18. *Number of 2022 Grammy nominations for Doja Cat or H.E.R. 19. *Justin Bieber’s stuff from Georgia 21. *Gaga’s partner 23. Mauna ____, Hawaii 24. Cartoon Coyote’s first name 25. Lawyers’ grp.

28. Marine eagle 30. Like Roger Rabbit 35. Boisterous play 37. Ore deposit 39. Davy Crockett’s last stand 40. U.S. city and lake 41. Tossed starter 43. F.B.I. operative 44. Group of nine singers, e.g.

46. Gardner’s gear 47. In the middle of 48. Arctic-wear 50. Porcini mushrooms 52. In the manner of, in French 53. *Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, a.k.a. ____ Sonic

55. Decimal system base 57. *2022 Grammy nominations leader 61. *”Bad Habits” performer 65. Lacking sense 66. Unit of electrical resistance 68. Low landform 69. Grassy mound 70. Recent or new, prefix 71. Los ____, CA 72. Peasy precursor 73. .0000001 joule 74. Earp of the Wild West DOWN 1. LSD consequence?

2. City on the Tiber 3. *Swedish band with one 2022 Grammy nomination 4. Exclamation from a coop 5. Tittering laugh sound 6. Bookie’s quote 7. Registered nurses’ org.

8. Torah expert 9. Female name or a name for Ireland 10. Worker’s reward 11. Not counterfeit 12. Cobblestone 15. Genus, pl.

20. British peers 22. Will Ferrell holiday movie 24. Matrimony 25. *2022 Grammy event

venue, Crypto.com ____ 26. B on Mendeleev’s table 27. Type of acid 29. *Grammy host’s last name 31. Aquarium dweller 32. #3 Down’s 1975 hit “____ Mia”

33. Means of communication 34. *Kanye’s album 36. Source of pressure?

38. Facilitate 42. Profoundness 45. Tip of lion’s tail 49. First aid one 51. Up and down playground attraction

54. Sergio of westerns 56. Very recently 57. Triathlon ride 58. Tolstoy’s Karenina 59. New Mexico art colony 60. Inwardly

61. Dirty air 62. Common “pro” follower 63. Loads 64. Egg storage 67. *”Fight for You” performer

Solutions on Page 2B

Opinion & Comment

January 13, 2022, The Bridgton News, Page 1B

Views from Augusta

by Janet Mills Governor of Maine

A program for aging at home

Our senior citizens and those with disabilities deserve to live and grow old in the comfort of their own homes without worrying that they’ll be unable to stay in them because they can’t afford the property taxes.

This week, I announced a program to give people the peace of mind that they can age safely and securely in their own homes. Using $3.5 million in funds from the Federal American Rescue Plan, this week we announced the State Property Tax Deferral Program, which provides a lifeline to cover the annual property tax bills of eligible Maine people who are aged 65 and older or who are permanently disabled and who cannot afford to pay their property taxes on their principle residence.

You may be eligible if you earn less than $40,000 a year, including your retirement, and have liquid assets below $50,000 (or $75,000 if you’re applying with your spouse).

Full eligibility criteria and applications can be found by going online on the Maine Revenue Services website.

Loans must be repaid if the property is sold or becomes part of somebody’s estate.

The State Property Tax Deferral Program is the latest step my administration has taken to address property taxes, to increase the availability of housing, and to ensure that all Maine people, regardless of age or income, can have a safe, stable place to call home right here in our state.

In 2019, I signed a $15 million senior housing bond that had been approved by Maine voters but had been held up by the previous administration. In 2020, I signed into law the single largest state investment in housing in Maine’s history and we recently broke ground on a new, major housing project resulting from that law.

To put money back into the pockets of Maine families we’ve also provided other tax relief. We: • Made an historic investment in Maine public schools, meeting the state’s obligation to pay 55 percent of the cost of K-12 education for the first time in history; • We increased direct tax relief for 83,000 low-income and middle-income people who were hard hit by the pandemic; • We fully restored revenue sharing with municipalities to five percent; • We launched and administered the Local Fiscal Recovery Program that has infused more than $59 million in federal funds into local governments within more than 461 communities; • We preserved the power of the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide tax relief to middle and low-income Maine families with children; • We exempted up to $10,200 in unemployment benefits AGING AT HOME, Page 3B

Letters Still a democracy

For boys your age, doing what you did, was incredible.

The joy and exhilaration on you felt, we felt in reading this article.

To me, cats are the best, too. A few words on what mine has gone through will show that despite hard nine lives, Joy will prevail and we will overcome. My cat got caught in the washing machine between the drum and back wall. Luckily, no one did a wash cycle. We had to cut him out with metal cutters. The same cat jumped out of my arms at the vet and was gone. Months later, he was at my door. Another time when we visited the vet, the cat sat down on the vet’s rectal thermometer and had to go under anesthesia for the vet to remove the object.

Really, all cat stories aside, we praise you for raising more than $29,000 for Harvest Hills Animal Shelter.

Sue Parent Bridgton

To The Editor: Mr. Lopez asked the following question in a recent issue: How is Joe Biden doing? while mentioning several issues that he seems to feel Joe is solely responsible for. Well, President Biden — and he is our legally elected president — is doing a very good job because we still have our democracy.

And, that is something we probably would not still have if Trump and his band of co-conspirators and his cult following had succeeded a year ago with their attempted coup.

By the way, our response to the COVID pandemic would be much better if the Republicans, who vow never to get vaccinated, show the patriotism they claim and join the battle.

Donald Dennison Bridgton To The Editor: There is an anniversary to commemorate, one that some of us would like to forget, but justice demands its acknowledgement: Guantanamo Bay prison was opened 20 years ago on Jan. 11, 2002, and operated in secret for more To The Editor: than four years. Out of the What an awe-inspiring 779 men and boys held there article I read in The Bridgton (all of them Muslim), 86 perNews titled, “Boy’s gesture cent were sold to the United inspires sleepover donation States for a bounty, typically high.” These two young boys $5,000. Currently, 39 men gave of their time, as did remain imprisoned — 27 their families, to raise money held indefinitely without for Harvest Hills Animal charge in violation of interShelter. At age 7, I couldn’t national laws (closeguantaimagine all that you did for namo.org). the animals. I was going On Jan. 15, 2022, at noon, through the age of hopscotch a vigil will be held outside while you were mini entre- the Augusta Armory at 179 preneurs hyping awareness Western Avenue. Participants for animals. will then proceed to the Oliver and Parker, this Capitol for a rally starting at was such an upbeat effort. 1:15 p.m. at the Peace Plaza

Prison disgrace

A young hero for animals

FEELING WINTER’S CHILL on Stevens Brook near the old mill at the intersection of Kansas Road and Smith Avenue.

(Photo by Pam Ward)

Rethinking Critical Race Theory

Let’s rethink that initialism, CRT. We’ll pass on “critical race theory,” a respected academic discipline mostly taught in graduate study and law school. By so doing, we avoid having to deal with the sleazy smear campaign now being waged against it by MAGA propagandists, led by a fellow named Chris Rufo. The less said about those guys, the better.

I’m much more concerned about cruel, reactionary theocracy, (CRT). That’s where our country is headed and, if we don’t change direction soon, we’ll end up in a place few of us want to be. Democracy is government by the people.

Autocracy is government by strongman. Theocracy is government by religious authorities. There’s an old saying about types of government: democracy is good; autocracy is terrible; theocracy is worse.

So, where’s the evidence that the United States is headed toward cruel, reactionary theocracy? The folks behind the ongoing MAGA insurrection subscribe to a set of deadly delusions. First, an all-white American nation can be built in years to come. Second, society should be led by “real” men, who

Independent Thought

by Rev. Robert Plaisted Guest Columnist think and act as patriarchs, because God set up human society according to that plan. Third, America can become a truly Judeo-Christian nation, governed according to biblical law, and that should be the goal of all “patriotic” citizens.

Consider the example of that MAGA stalwart, retired General Michael Flynn. He recently stated, “If we are going to have one nation under God — which we must — we have to have one religion. One nation under God and one religion RETHINKING, Page 4B

The Annual American Whitewash

By Wim Laven Guest Columnist These days is it a mistake to bring up the storied practices of racism in the United States? The identification and labeling of the plain view prejudice and nefarious dog whistles calling back to histories of white privilege nostalgia are frequently met with a strong backlash. This has become part of my annual tradition; each January I think of how I can honor the words and message of my hero the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and I anticipate the dishonesty that is undoubtedly on its way.

I understand that people are free to decide who they will receive spiritual guidance from. The commitment to loving your neighbor that Jesus and King present may not resonate with everyone, and I take deep offense when their messages of altruism are distorted to justify and promote indignity and dehumanization. But, these days, it is unavoidable.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a key mouthpiece for Trumpism, has been misquoting MLK in his efforts to oppose critical race theory for months. His tweet, “Critical Race Theory goes against everything Martin Luther King Jr. taught us — to not judge others by the color of their skin. The Left is trying to take America backward” is the antithesis to King’s demands for equality. McCarthy loves to sanitize the racism of the Trump-GOP platform; it is inconvenient for him to admit the detrimental impacts that these policies have on black populations, so he lies instead. He deletes his racist tweets, but he never apologizes for them… This January he, like so many others, will no doubt pay lip service to the legacy of King by cynically

twisting the meaning of MLK’s words beyond all recognition.

King dreamed, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” It was presented unambiguously; he demanded an end to racial, prejudicial injustice.

The “I Have a Dream” speech was given during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, 1963, keynoting one of the greatest nonviolent protests against racism in history. It is beyond absurd to pretend, as McCarthy and others do, that King did not want us to seriously examine questions of history and race.

His speech was 100 years after the end of slavery and he was reminding our great nation of the indignities people of color continued to endure. Some of those terrible inequities endure in 2022 and some seem to be making a comeback. He opened: “the colored America is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the colored American is still sadly crippled by the manacle of segregation and the chains of discrimination.” He did not say we should stop talking about race, he said: “the colored American is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land so we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.”

King delivered the conditions of basic equality and citizenship. In 2022, Republicans who “celebrate” his dream will ignore his words: “We cannot be satisfied as long as a colored person in Mississippi cannot vote and a colored person in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote.”

Those same Republicans will continue to push voter suppression at every opportunity; Republican power is aided and main-

between the State House and Cross Office Building. Free parking is available. Masks and social distancing are necessary. Sponsors of this event are Witness Against Torture, Pax Christi Maine, Amnesty International USA and Peace Action Maine.

For more information on this event, contact Martha Spiess at info@peaceactionmaine. org.

The Guantanamo Bay prison is a blight on America’s moral credibility and a national disgrace.

Let 2022 be the year when this oppression is lifted and Guantanamo Bay prison is closed permanently.

Sally Chappell Bridgton

stupidity and willingness to do anything for a vote.

As the nation’s debt continues to rocket past the $30 trillion mark, it is only a matter of time before interest payments on the debt will force drastic cuts in every government program that is vital to America’s very survival, like national defense, Social Security, Medicare and numerous others.

Help!

Robert M. Howe Jr. Bridgton

Time to work

To The Editor: President Biden is so detached from reality that he insists his massively expensive Build Back Better Program, which locks in at a staggering five trillion plus, will not add a smidgeon to the nation’s runaway inflation.

What planet does this guy live on?

Does he not visit a supermarket or pump his own gas like most Americans, or experience the skyrocketing price increases occurring on a daily and even what seems like hourly basis?

Biden’s insane policy of creating trillions out of thin air in order to finance the grotesque spending orgy to buy off the nation’s voters is what is primarily fueling the rate of inflation, devastating millions of American families.

Because Biden is stuffing unemployed workers’ pockets with far more cash than they can get by actually working, millions of Americans are home sitting on their butts while employers can’t find anyone foolish enough to take a job. The lack of workers is the prime reason we are suffering horrendous shortages in pretty much every area of the economy. In order to get anybody to work, employers have to exponentially increase wages and benefits, which greatly increases the price they have to charge for their goods and services. Democrats refuse to believe there is no such thing as a free lunch, hence they are well on their way to dismantling America by their

AMERICAN WHITEWASH, Page 2B

Full court press

To The Editor: To make a basketball analogy, the Jan. 6 opinion pages were essentially a biased anti- administration “full court press,” players — (including a sixth man guest columnist) being frequent contributors — sent into the game by the coach, or editor if you will. Not surprisingly, the one-year anniversary of the former guy’s violent “stupid coup” weren’t the subject of any of the players’ letters, and frequent whitewasher of that GOP embarrassment, Don Vose, was benched by the coach this issue. Players:

• Nativist storyteller accusing asylum seekers of smuggling Fentanyl at the southern border, a YouTube hyperlink provided, yippee!

• Conflated cherry-picked statistics regarding yet more allegations of drug smuggling on the border — no sources provided.

• Unfounded, unproven conspiracies alleging (sic) “The Biden administration is trying to import more democrat votes” by way of importuning the courts to rescind 45’s cruel and illegal executive action corralling asylum seekers in Mexico pending their immigration hearings in this country.

• One “player/presser” making convoluted empirical arguments attacking guest columnist Reverend Plaisted’s Dec. 31 critique of the despoiling of Planet Earth.

• A player’s unsupported yarns of drug overdoses and nativist misinformation regarding COVID attrition via the full court press, his usual MO the medium of his personal roadside digital “blog.”

• Allegations that “Biden and his merry band of Marxists (sic) sabotaged a LETTERS, Page 2B

Page 2B, The Bridgton News, January 13, 2022

Letters

booming Trump economy” — it wasn’t — during a 100 years pandemic event that saw economic policies enacted around disbursement of UI benefits intended to mitigate the pre- vaccine spread of the virus.

• And the sixth man, an octogenarian reminiscing about his patriotic childhood memories of recycling cigarette package tin foil, Coke bottles and bacon fat for bomb making. He waxes fondly of his love affair with Wonder Bread. He got to practice with the team although the coach wisely kept him on the bench with Vose.

Jon St. Laurent

Opinions

North Bridgton the “Rule of Sevens,” life is not so simplistic.

The linear approach assumes that a dollar taxed at 50% will yield 50 cents to the government and 50 To The Editor: A contractor once told me cents spent by government that when making a change will yield 50 cents of bento a building it was not linear efit to the people. However, in its nature but subject to dynamic (Rule of Sevens) the “Rule of Sevens.” What consequences tells us (based he meant was that chang- on history) that a 50% tax will es were not linear (straight decrease the total amount of line) but dynamic (multiple money the government will consequences). The same is collect. The reason this haptrue for government policies pens is that higher taxes hin(taxation, redistribution of der economic activity, which wealth, curtailment of prop- leads to less government revenue, more debt, which erty rights, etc.).

Politicos claim that their further inhibits economic linear approach to forcing activity, which if governthe rich to pay their fair share ment spending isn’t reduced will cover the costs of promised freebies. This is linear thinking. In the real world of

The Rule of Sevens

TOWN OF BRIDGTON

causes inflation, which is a hidden tax causing an economic downward spiral. The effects on America’s social cohesion is predictable. One only has to look at Russia, China, Cuba, Venezuela and any country that embraces Marxism (socialism if you prefer) to see the results.

Ironically, when taxes are cut for producers, government revenues go up, employment goes up, wages increase; government debt, interest rates, and inflation will decrease. In the event that government spending is reduced in addition to a reduction in taxes it will become an upward spiral bringing personal and eco-

Public Notice

3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

TOWN OF NAPLES

PUBLIC NOTICE

OFFICE CLOSURE

PUBLIC HEARING The Municipal Officers of the Town of Bridgton will hold a Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, to accept oral and written comments on a new Special Amusement Permit Application from The Noble House Inn (81 Highland Road) for live music and entertainment.

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TOWN OF BRIDGTON 3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING The Municipal Officers of the Town of Bridgton will hold a Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, to accept oral and written comments on a new liquor license application from The Noble House Inn (81 Highland Road).

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1069 Main Street, Lovell, ME 04051 Phone: 207-925-6272 Fax 207-925-1710

The Naples Town Office will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2022, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING DIMENSIONAL VARIANCE APPEAL JANUARY 17, 2022 CASCO COMMUNITY CENTER 940 MEADOW ROAD 6:00 P.M. There will be a Public Hearing held on January 17, 2022, 6 p.m., at the Casco Community Center Meeting Room, 940 Meadow Road, Casco, Maine, on the following items: • Dimensional Variance Appeal, Paul and Denise Weldner, Tax Map 19, Lot 29, located at 9 Morningside Lane, Casco Maine. Limited/Residential Recreational District.

Requesting a Setback Variance for a remodel of a garage.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PLANNING BOARD MEETING NOTICE

Public Notice

The Lovell Planning Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month.

The upcoming January 19, 2022, 7 p.m., meeting is an extraordinary meeting that has become necessary to deal with regular business unrelated to the solar project.

This meeting, as well as all future meetings, will be held in person in Lovell Town Hall and via videoconferencing (Zoom link). A Zoom link will be displayed on the town website prior to the meeting. All Zoom meetings will be recorded.

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NOTE: A safe seating capacity of 100, established by the State Fire Marshall, will be strictly enforced. Once capacity is reached, visitors are asked to follow proceedings online.

1069 Main Street, Lovell, ME 04051 Phone: 207-925-6272 Fax 207-925-1710

PUBLIC NOTICE

Planning Board Meeting

The Naples Planning Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. The meeting will be in person at the Naples Town Hall Board Room located at 15 Village Green Lane starting at 6 p.m. On the Agenda: 1. New Business a. A Modification to an Approved Site Plan for Camp Skylemar located at 457 Sebago Road (Tax Map R05 Lot 28) for a new Storage Building and Walk-In Freezer.

Plans may be viewed online at www.townofnaples.org.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting. Masks are recommended.

Any questions or comments may be directed to Jennifer Leeman via email at jleeman@townofnaples.org.

1T2 LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

Town of Lovell Select Board NOTICE OF MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

TOWN OF CASCO, MAINE SELECTBOARD

At its Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, meeting, the Select Board of the Town of Lovell will hold a public hearing on the “Large-Scale Solar Energy Systems Moratorium Ordinance” introduced at the Select Board’s Dec. 28, 2021, regular meeting. The Select Board will hold that January 18, 2022, meeting and public hearing at 7 p.m., at the Lovell Fire Station at 3 Hatches Hill Road, Lovell, Maine.

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After the public hearing, the Select Board will consider whether to call a Special Town Meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, at 7 p.m., at the same location, the Lovell Fire Station at 3 Hatches Hill Road, Lovell, for residents to vote on the “Large-Scale Solar Energy Systems Moratorium Ordinance” and to issue a special town meeting warrant for the same.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Re: Premises at 388 Roosevelt Trail, Casco, Maine Tax Map 25, Lot 4 ORDER OF DEMOLITION PURSUANT TO 17 M.R.S. §§ 2851-2859 Notice having been given to DAVID G. KRUEGER & ANNETTE E. KRUEGER, and all other persons and entities having an interest in the premises situated at 388 Roosevelt Trail in Casco, Maine, described as Lot 4 on Tax Map 25, a copy of which is on file at the Casco Town Hall, and more particularly described in a deed from Jesse Brown, as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to David G. Krueger and Annette E. Krueger, dated September 14, 1993, and recorded in the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds in Book 10992, Page 252 (the “Property”); A hearing having been duly held by the Selectboard in the Casco Community Center on January 4, 2022; and The structure located on said Property having been adjudged to be structurally unsafe; unstable; unsanitary; constituting a fire hazard; unsuitable and improper for the use or occupancy to which they have been put; constituting a hazard to health and safety because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment; and otherwise dangerous to life and property within the meaning of 17 M.R.S. § 2851 and beyond repair, for the reasons set forth in the attached findings and conclusions; Now, therefore, it is hereby ORDERED that the structure located on the Property be removed within 45 days from the date of this Order, that the removal comply with all State and local requirements, and that the premises be left in a safe and sanitary condition or that the nuisance be abated in a manner satisfactory to the Town within 45 days from the date of this Order;

CASCO ZONING BOARD JANUARY 17, 2022 COMMUNITY CENTER MEETING ROOM 940 MEADOW ROAD 6:00 P. M.

It is further ORDERED that the Town Clerk cause attested copies of this Order to be served upon the persons and interest holders above-named as required by law; It is further ORDERED that, if this Order is not complied with, then the Town Manager is authorized to cause the removal of the said structure described herein and to bill the owner for the cost of all expenses incurred by the Town, which bill must be paid within 30 days after demand; and

First Order of Business: • Call Meeting to Order • Determine a Quorum New Business: • Dimensional Variance Appeal, Paul and Denise Weldner, Tax Map 19, Lot 29, located at 9 Morningside Lane, Casco Maine. Limited/Residential Recreational District.

Requesting a Setback Variance for a remodel of a garage.

Additions: • None

It is further ORDERED that in the event the owner does not pay the Town for its expenses within 30 days after demand, a special tax shall be assessed on the premises described as Tax Map 25, Lot 4 and located at 388 Roosevelt Trail, for all expenses as defined in 17 M.R.S. § 2853, incurred by the Town in connection with the removal of the said structure and/or the abatement of the nuisance.

Dated: January 4, 2022

TOWN OF CASCO SELECTBOARD Mary Fernandes, Chair Robert MacDonald, Vice-Chair Scott Avery

Next Meeting: • February 15, 2022 If Needed Adjourn

TOWN OF NAPLES

Eugene Connolly 2T1

Holly Hancock 3T2

nomic security to all segments of the population.

Freebies aren’t free, it’s a question of who pays for them and when.

Jock MacGregor Sebago

be in a position to call for a Special Council, so the Democrats better get it right this time.

Time will tell.

Bill Preis Bridgton

Armed Insurrection

Marking one year

To The Editor: I think we can all agree that the events of Jan. 6, 2021, were a disgrace and a stain on the history of the United States of America, and we all wish that it never happened.

But, it should not have been called an “Armed Insurrection” or been equated to Pearl Harbor, the American Revolution, or 9/11/2001 by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden and the left-wing media.

This is an obvious attempt to deflect scrutiny of the many failures by the Biden administration, such as, the open southern border, Afghanistan — and the Americans still trapped — rising inflation, supply chain shortages, record breaking COVID cases (one million cases in one day), and the feeling that nobody is steering the ship of state. The Democrats are also trying to destroy Donald Trump’s potential future presidential bid and of course they are trying desperately to stay in power.

If this was a planned insurrection, it was the worst plan ever devised, even worse than the planned departure from Afghanistan. How do you plan to overthrow the most powerful country in the world, when your only weapons are flags and flag poles?

None of them were carrying a gun or a knife and the FBI has said that they could not find any evidence of conspiracy.

How many times do the words insurrection, sedition or rebellion appear in the Department of Justice Indictment? — answer zero times! Seven hundred twenty-five citizens from all 50 states have been charged with mostly small crimes such as trespassing, disorderly conduct and unlawful entry, and yet, many of those citizens are still in jail one year later!

Yet, the media and Democrats continue to call this the “Battle for the Soul of our Nation”— really?

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, assigned seven Democrats and two Republicans to the Investigative Committee, all of whom, voted to impeach the former president. They will review 35,000 pages of evidence and hours of video footage and come to a decision just before the November election. What a surprise! This is not how jury members are selected for our United States court system.

On paper, this committee looks rather biased. But, I think the Democrats know that they will lose control of the House and the Senate in November. When that happens, the Republicans will

This week’s game solutions

To The Editor: Now is a good time to contemplate last year’s Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The roots of what happened can be traced back to the disputed election in 1867 of Hayes vs. Tilden. Subsequently, the Electoral Control Act of 1867 was passed that gave Congress the power to disqualify a state’s electors after the Electoral College had voted. Although this power has never been used successfully to overturn an election, members of Congress on both parties have cast votes against electoral certification in three of the last four elections.

On Jan. 6, 2021, rioters thought they could influence Congress and the Senate’s president, Mike Pence, to vote to decertify the 2020 election. Fortunately, this relatively small, mis-guided group was unsuccessful. Congress upheld the Electoral College’s electors and Pence declared Biden the president. If not, our democracy would have been threatened. It is alarming that the certification of electors representing the majority vote in each state can theoretically be thwarted in future elections. The 1867 Electoral Control Act should be amended, so that the certification process becomes a pro forma procedural matter. This should not be a partisan issue.

The perception of unfairness of the election process is a threat to our democracy. We should be doing everything possible to change this. In my view, federal control of the election process is unconstitutional and would worsen voters’ belief in election validity. The proposed Freedom to Vote Act needlessly overrides states’ election laws. Eliminating voter identification rules, requiring universal voting by mail, and allowing harvesting of ballots would further erode the belief of fairness of elections. The motivation behind it appears to be for partisan purposes.

The idea that the state’s voting laws are designed to suppress the vote has no factual basis. Requiring voter ID is not voter suppression. It is common sense and is affirmed in polls of a large majority of all voting groups.

Universal voting by mail invites voter manipulation and erodes confidence in voting integrity, as is ballot harvesting. If people chose not to vote, they do not care who wins.

Roderick MacGregor North Sebago

Obituaries

Obituaries John P. Smith John Parker Smith, of Sweden, Maine, passed away on December 31, 2021, due to complications related to COVID-19. He was born in Middletown, Conn., on June 24, 1939, to Louise B. and Leroy R. Smith, both deceased, and was raised in Middle Haddam, Conn.

John lived a very active and productive life. After graduating from East Hampton High School, in East Hampton, Conn., in 1957, he enlisted in the United States Air Force for four years and was forever proud of serving his country. While stationed at Hickam Air Force base, in Hawaii, as a jet mechanic, he also worked parttime at the base snack shop. This experience whetted his appetite for the food service business. After leaving the Air Force in 1961, John started his restaurant career in earnest with Friendly Ice Cream Corporation as a night janitor at a shop in Middletown, Conn. A hardworking and diligent employee, John was promoted to the Manager Training Program and upon graduation was assigned to the Friendly Ice Cream shop in Swampscott, Mass. From there he went on to open and then manage one of the highest volume shops in the Friendly chain at the Burlington Mall, in Burlington, Mass. In 1970, John was promoted to the position of district manager in western New York.

In total, John spent 21 years at Friendly Ice Cream, the last eleven of which were at the company headquarters in Wilbraham, Mass. He served in the corporate executive ranks as the manager of Trainee Development.

After retiring from Friendly’s in 1984, he and his wife, Marilyn, purchased and operated the Spurwink Country Kitchen Restaurant, a high-volume, seasonal restaurant in Scarborough, Maine. After selling the Scarborough business in 1987, John and Marilyn moved to Fryeburg. Needing a break from the day-to-day of running a restaurant, John became a licensed real estate broker and Marilyn a licensed realtor. John founded a brokerage business, a real estate development venture, and a hospitality management consulting business which helped private owners and served as a court-appointed receiver for financial institutions. All in all, over the course of his life John renovated and developed over twelve different properties and ran or consulted for various hospitality businesses throughout the state of Maine. John was a member of the board of directors of the Maine Restaurant Association and was an officer and four-year board member of the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, also serving as treasurer for three years.

The same zeal which John brought to his professional endeavors, he also brought to his hobbies, hot air ballooning and motorcycling. During the early 1980s, John became certificated by the FAA as a commercial pilot in hot air balloons, piloting his SKIMMER balloon up and down the east coast. In 1983, John and Marilyn shipped the SKIMMER to France, to participate in the International Bicentennial celebration of man’s first flight, in 1783, in Annonay, France. He was one of six pilots from the United States to fly an American-registered hot air balloon at this international celebration.

In his later years, John was very active in motorcycling and kept one of his many Italian Moto Guzzi’s garaged at his brother David’s house in Germany. This afforded him the opportunity to spend a number of visits over the years touring Europe, with particular emphasis on riding in Germany, the Swiss Alps and Italy, always with Maine license plates on his Moto Guzzi. For fifteen years, he served as the Maine State Representative for the Moto Guzzi National Owners Club.

After logging close to 100,000 incident-free miles on Moto Guzzis, in 2007 he decided to leave motorcycle touring and switch to less risky pastimes, such as reading, crossword puzzles, writing and building the more complicated Lego toys which he would give away to others.

Beyond the details of John’s biography, his most defining characteristic was his love for people, demonstrated by his devotion to his family and his desire to help others through a myriad of philanthropic activities and community volunteer service. The true patriarch of the family, John worked tirelessly to take care of his wife, son, daughter, siblings and nieces and nephews. Even in retirement, it was his full-time job!

John’s generosity extended beyond his family. He was always interested in helping others and giving back to the communities in which he lived.

While living in Wilbraham, Mass., he was active in counseling jail inmates on Decisional Training, and while living in Fryeburg, he was very active in the newly formed Fryeburg Cemetery Committee, created to bring the town’s cemeteries back to their original, well-maintained condition. He was an ardent supporter of Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, and while living in Sweden, he was a member of the town Planning Board and a member of the Board of Selectmen. He also served on the Sweden Fire Department Building Committee, was a member of the Sweden Road Committee, and an organizer of the first Sweden Town Cemetery Committee.

The work of this committee resulted in the Town of Sweden being awarded special recognition by The Maine Old Cemetery Association. Finally, John never took off his “Manager of Trainee Development” hat. He always said he was a “full time student in the university of life,” and he was intensely committed later in life to helping others by sharing the lessons he learned. John spent hours writing and publishing four booklets aimed at teaching young people how to handle their personal finances responsibly and also teaching people how to advocate for themselves in terms of health care.

John was predeceased by first wife, Linda R. Breece, who died in 1973, and his sisters Susan F. Johnson and Sally L. Smith. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn H. Smith of Sweden, his brother, David L. Smith and his wife, Karen of Burnsville, Minn., and his sister, Elizabeth S. Treadway of East Hampton, Conn. He is also survived by his son, Alan F. Roy and his wife, Jennifer A. McGeorge of Winthrop, Mass., daughter, Jennifer J. Roy of Lovell, and grandchildren, Peter E. Roy of Somerville, Mass., and Michael G. Roy of Beverly, Mass., and Mariah D. Magee of Lovell, along with many cousins, nephews and nieces. John is also survived by Martha McLean, his friend and indispensable right-hand person, the many local folks he loved, and the many friends he made over the years all around the country and Europe. Despite the distance, they remained forever in his heart.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Chandler Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton, ME, with burial at a later date at Webber Pond Road Cemetery in Sweden. For those interested, donations can be made in John Smith’s memory to the Lakes Environmental Association in Bridgton, Maine, the Bridgton Community Center, and the Sweden Historical Society. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www. chandlerfunerals.com

January 13, 2022, The Bridgton News, Page 3B

David W. Eldridge Sr.

Barbara E. Ferguson

NAPLES — David Willis Eldridge Sr. of Naples passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 6, 2022, with his family by his side.

David was born July 2, 1938, to Willis David and Marian I. Burnham Eldridge in Casco, Maine. He lived all over the Lake Region and wintered for several years in Bradenton Florida.

David graduated from Casco High School in 1957 where he was on the Casco Loggers basketball team and a track star. David also attended Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute and earned his machinist certificate in 1966. He was employed by Southworth Machine where he was a shop steward and later became president of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers – Local 895 in Portland and vice president of AFL-CIO New England. David met with and worked with numerous politicians including President Gerald R. Ford, former Governor Longley, former Maine Senator Ed Muskie and former Maine Secretary of State Mark Gartley, to better the lives of Maine and New England residents and workers. Outside of employment David served his community as selectman of the town of Naples.

After his retirement he enjoyed working at Marden’s and Sebago Lake Chevrolet as his keen interest in bargains and cars is legendary. He loved garage sales and thrift shops remaking his finds into very desirable pieces.

Throughout his life David enjoyed woodworking and remodeling homes. He was very creative and had great vision finding distressed properties and turning them into showplaces.

He easily sold homes he had built or remodeled; attesting to his expertise and attention to detail.

His family reunions at the beach are long remembered as is his generosity entertaining his friends for many beach events. Once retired you were sure to find David out having breakfast daily with friends either in Bradenton or at the Top of the Hill Grille.

David was first and foremost a family man enjoying a regular schedule of family visits. You could depend on him being at his aunt’s on Saturday morning, with his son every evening or at a card game with siblings and friends.

David spent almost sixty years with his wife Diana. David was very proud of his children, speaking highly of their accomplishments. David was predeceased by his son Alan D. Eldridge and grandson Keegan C. Eldridge. He is survived by his loving wife Diana, who cared for him tirelessly through his long illness, his children Bonnie Jean Eldridge Oliver, Kevin Eldridge, David Eldridge Jr., Melody Eldridge Jones, Felicia Cummings and Craig Hamlin; grandchildren, Hillary, Nicholas, Kiersten, Kari, Sam, Austin, Ricky, Orry, Kelsey, Ryan and Makayla as well as six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service at the Lakeside Cemetery in Casco for family and friends will be announced for late spring. Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home in Casco where condolences and tributes may be shared on David’s Tribute Wall at www.hallfuneralhome.net.

March 22, 1935 – December 23, 2021

A program for aging at home

(Continued from Page 1B) from income tax for the year 2020; and • We returned more than $149 million of your taxes in financial relief directly to Maine families in 2021.

Well, I said last week and I’ll say it again, I think we can give more money back to the people of Maine, and I’ll be working with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents on just how to do that. You can look for that as part of the supplemental budget I’ll be proposing in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, my Administration will continue to work with the Legislature to make sure that every person in Maine has a safe place to call home.

Barbara Elizabeth (Cole) Ferguson, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of December 23, 2021, in the loving care of her daughter-in-law Dawn, and son, Norman (Scott) Ferguson. She was 86 years old.

Barbara was born at home in Locke Mills, Maine, to her father Lewis and mother Minola Cole.

She grew up in the Bethel/Woodstock area during the post-Depression and World War II years.

She developed a character of resourcefulness and persistence that carried her through her long and productive life. During her high school years at Gould Academy, she served as a writer and eventual editor-in-chief for the school newspaper The Blue and Gold, and graduated as the salutatorian of the class of 1953. She attended Pratt Diagnostic School at Tufts Medical school in Boston where she graduated with a degree in medical technology. She became a laboratory technician at the Rumford Community Hospital where she worked for several years.

While she knew her eventual husband, Norman K. “Sonny” Ferguson, Jr. when they were both students at Gould Academy in Bethel, Maine, they would come to find love several years after high school. They were married on January 28th, 1956 in Bethel with a celebration at the Congregational Church. Barbara and Norman went on to have four sons in 6 years and would annually travel to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia for summer vacations with the extended Ferguson family. Barbara went back to college in the early 1970’s to complete a teaching degree while raising a busy family. Her persistence paid off when she completed her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Maine, Farmington. She worked for over 25 years as an elementary school teacher. She even taught first grade for many years in the small Locke Mills School where she started school.

Barbara was an active member in the Rumford Point Congregational Church and participated in many Hanover, Rumford and Bethel community organizations, and events. She exhibited a warm, hospitable demeanor and her home became a frequent informal gathering place for community members and friends of her sons. Many warm and joyous gatherings over the years served to build community bonds that have endured the test of time. She and Norman presided over a loving family of 11 grandchildren, their parents and friends. There were many family gatherings in Hanover, across Maine and in Nova Scotia where fun-filled events were inspired by her natural role as loving grandmother and devoted friend to all.

After the death of her husband, Norman, in 2010, Barbara moved to Fryeburg where she was closer to her eldest son Scott, her daughter-in-law Dawn and grandson Seth. She became a practicing member of the Fryeburg New Church and active participant in many Fryeburg activities with friends and neighbors. True to her passion for teaching and writing, she started a monthly project at the New Church called In the Spot Light.

Once a month, she would interview a Sunday school student and publish a one-page interview in the church bulletin featuring that student’s interests and goals.

Barbara will be missed by her family and many others. We are all heartened and inspired by her kindness of spirit and model of warmth and respect for all. The Ferguson family is highly grateful for the loving professionalism and kind care provided

by Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice. The Fergusons are also grateful for the love and devotion of Dawn and Scott Ferguson as they cared for our mother through her later years and final days.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Norman, 76, and daughter-in-law Brenda Gallant Ferguson of Dixmont.

Barbara is survived by Scott (Norman, III) and Dawn Ferguson of Fryeburg, Douglas Ferguson of Dixmont, Daniel and Janet Ferguson of Bethel, and Robert Ferguson of Hampton Township, Pa.; grandchildren and partners, Eric Ferguson and Bethany Allen, with great-granddaughter, Iona, of Bowdoinham, Maine, Ian and Katherine Ferguson of Tamworth, N.H., Seth Ferguson of Fryeburg, Maine, Sam Ferguson of Bethel, Maine, Catherine Ferguson of Stowe, Vt., Jonathan Ferguson of Bath, Maine, Marianne Ferguson and Brad Randall of North Berwick, Maine, Angus Ferguson of Hampton Township, Pa., Molly Ferguson of Kenduskeag, Maine, Lucas Ferguson of Brewer, Maine, and Sadie Ferguson Dillon and Husband Ryan Dillon of Hermon, Maine.

A celebration of life will be held at the Fryeburg New Church in the late Spring. An interment service will be held later at the Rumford Point Church. Specific dates and times to be announced.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be provided to the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice (https://androscoggin.org).

Warren’s Florist

~ Always Fabulous Florals ~ ~ Fruit & Gift Baskets ~ ~ Ganz Plush Animals ~ Balloons ~

Eric Nelson, Owner and Funeral Director TFr51

165 QUAKER RIDGE RD., CASCO, ME 04015 207-627-4538 • HALLFUNERALHOME.NET

207-647-8441 • 800-834-8407

Always Improving

Obituary Policy

To run at no charge, The News will include: who the person was predeceased by (i.e. parents, siblings, spouse, children), or survived by (i.e. spouse or significant other, children, and parents). Names of spouses of surviving relatives will not be included.

Names of grandchildren will not be included, but the number of grandchildren or nephews and nieces will be used. If the deceased individual’s only connection to the area is a nephew, niece or grandchild, that person will be listed by name.

Obituaries to run “as written” are paid obituaries, a price quote and proof will be provided. The News reserves the right to edit all obituaries including length if necessary.

We just completed a major renovation to be more comfortable and up-to-date for today’s families. And Chandler Funeral Homes is constantly advancing and offering more services than any other funeral homes in the area.

Family and friends attending services now have a stunning reception area to share a meal after the service. Also, our casket selection is now online for your convenience.

Improvements all done with our families in mind to give quality service above and beyond the rest at affordable prices.

While we are adding more, we are still committed to keeping our prices fair. That’s one important reason we are the most preferred funeral home and we won’t ever forget that.

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8 Elm St., Bridgton (207) 647-5502

45 Main St. • South Paris (207) 743-8402 Fax: (207) 743-0497

Greenleaf Chapel 37 Vernon St. • Bethel (207) 824-2100

26 W. Dwinal St. Mechanic Falls (207) 345-5691

Oxford Hills Funeral Svc. 1037 Main St. • Oxford (207) 743-0270

www.ChandlerFunerals.com

Wood Funeral Home 9 Warren St. • Fryeburg (207) 935-2325

©2019 MKJ Marketing

Page 4B, The Bridgton News, January 13, 2022

Opinions

Rethinking Critical Race Theory

(Continued from Page 1B) under God.” In response, Ohio GOP Senate candidate Josh Mandel tweeted, “We stand with General Flynn.” Mandel is Jewish, but his “God” looks suspiciously like Flynn’s — authoritarian, light-skinned and intolerant of all other expressions of faith.

People who believe that way are not patriots; they’re theocrats. They include most fundamentalist Protestants and many “conservative” Catholics and Jews. Together, they form the “religious right.” Those folks believe that the United States would be a better society if only that pesky constitution could be set aside in favor of their personal understanding of “God’s law.” Their religious beliefs are openly reactionary, ferociously defensive of their traditions and generally cruel toward dissenters. In Iran, people like that are called Islamic theocrats.

In the United States, we should call them by their real name, Judeo-Christian theocrats.

We voters must decide whether we want to be governed under a theocracy or a democracy. Many voters fiercely oppose Islamic theocrats, screeching endlessly about the dangers of Sharia law, while they endorse Judeo-Christian theocrats without a second thought. A good test of their fidelity

to our Constitution will be how many of them are ready, like Gen. Flynn, to toss aside its provisions in favor of their own personal religious law.

If I wanted to be governed by Roman Catholic canon law, I’d convert to Catholicism. If I wanted to be governed by the rules of the Southern Baptist Convention, I’d become a Southern Baptist. But I’m a United Methodist. My spiritual life is guided by the rules in our Book of Discipline. But those rules are binding only on my Church life. I live my personal life and cast my vote according to the guidance of my conscience, under the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s what our Constitution means when it forbids any law “respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” No government can force me to believe any particular religious doctrine, nor can it force me to cease practicing whatever religious doctrines I choose.

America’s colonial governments were dominated by the regulations of established churches – Anglicanism in Virginia and the Carolinas, Catholicism in Maryland, Dutch Reformed in New Amsterdam (later New York), Puritan dissenters from Anglicanism in Massachusetts Bay, dissenters from the Puritan dissenters in Rhode Island, Quakers and Lutherans in Pennsylvania. The framers of the Constitution knew all about the dangers of establishing theocracy. That’s why they specifically prohibited it.

Ignore the far-right’s clamor for “religious liberty.” What BUSINESS SERVICES they really want is religious tyranny. No thanks.

SUN RISING ON LONG LAKE, as photographed DENMARK HOUSE PAINTING Rev. Robert Plaisted is a by Paula Rubinow.

— Since 1980. Interior and exterior painting. Free estimates. Call retired United Methodist clerJohn Mathews 452-2781. tf40x gyman, formerly of Bridgton, IF YOU NEED ANYTHING now residing in Bath.

Classified Advertising Classified line ads are now posted on our website at NO EXTRA CHARGE! www.bridgton.com

HELP WANTED

LAKE REGION TV — is looking for a part-time cameraperson.

LRTV pays an hourly wage as well as mileage and paid training. Applicant much have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and are available to work week nights.

Please e-mail letter of interest to info@lakeregiontv.org. FMI call 207-647-8044 ask for Chris. 4t1

FUTURE LEADERS WANTED — Q-Team Tree Service in Naples.

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VEHI­CLES FOR SALE

JESUS IS LORD — new and used auto parts. National locator.

Most parts 2 days. Good used cars.

Ovide’s Used Cars, Inc., Rte. 302 Bridg­ton, 207-647-5477. tf30

Morrison Center is hiring DSPs to for a variety of schedules in Bridgton, Naples, Cornish, South Paris, and New Gloucester. Work close to home and make a difference! Paid training provided! $1,500 Sign-on Bonus, $15-16/hour based on experience, generous full-time benefits!

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICE?

Chandel Associates Accounting, Taxes Audits, Full Service Payroll 3 Elm St., Bridgton Office 647-5711

Servicemaster Prof. Carpet Cleaning – Home/Office Fire/Smoke Damage Restoration 1-800-244-7630 207-539-4452 (12/22x)

Jones & Matthews, PA Certified Public Accountants Accounting and taxes Roosevelt Trail Prof. Bldg.

Route 302, Bridgton 647-3668 cpas@maine.com

TLC Home Maintenance Co. Professional Cleaning and Property Management Housekeeping and much more 583-4314 (12/22x)

Shelley P. Carter, Attorney Law Office of Shelley P. Carter, PA 110 Portland St., Fryeburg, ME 04037 935-1950 www.spcarterlaw.com

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Michael G. Friedman, Esq., PA 132 Main St. P.O. Box 10, Bridgton, ME 04009 647-8360 (12/22x) Hastings Malia, PA 376 Main Street – PO Box 290 Fryeburg, ME 04037 935-2061 www.hastingsmalia.com

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CHIMNEY LINING The Clean Sweep LLC Chimney Cleaning Service Supaflu and Stainless Steel Chimney lining and relining Dana Richardson 935-2501

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CARPENTRY

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The Umbrella Factory Supermarket

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Deli Positions Bakery Positions Produce Positions

Minimum two cords for delivery.

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Full & Part-time Positions Available

Henry’s Concrete Construction is looking to hire for a few positions: concrete laborer, concrete floor finisher, and Class B boom truck operator.

Ask for David Allenson 207-693-3988

Please DO NOT respond if you: are unable to set your alarm, text out sick once a week, have to find a ride to work, or think checking social media every five minutes is part of your daily tasks.

DO REPLY if you are a dependable hard worker that doesn’t whine, is able to be part of a team that provides quality work, you don’t mind working 50+ hours a week earning great pay, staying fit and getting a great tan and have a never give up attitude.

Please call or text 207-557-2801

ELECTRICIANS

INSURANCE Oberg Insurance Auto, Home, Business, Life 132 Main St., Bridgton Tel. 647-5551, 888-400-9858 (12/21x)

THIS SPACE CAN BE YOURS Call 647-2851 for details or e-mail bnews@roadrunner.com

Southern Maine Retirement Services Medicare Supplements & Prescription Plans REAL ESTATE Life and Senior Dental Insurance 150 Main St., Bridgton 207-647-2900 Chalmers Real Estate (12/21x) 100 Main St., Bridgton Tel. 647-3311

INTERIOR DESIGN

Universal Designz Consulting – Design D. M. Electric Inc. & Sons Dennis McIver, Electrical Contractor Decorating – Aging in Place www.UniversalDesignzMaine.com Residential/Commercial/Industrial (12t21x) Licensed in Maine & New Hampshire 207-754-0730 Bridgton 207-647-5012 (6/22x)

OIL DEALERS

J.P. Gallinari Electric Co. Residential - Commercial - Industrial Aerial - Auger - Lifting Service Bridgton 647-9435 (12/22x)

639 Roosevelt Trail, Rt. 302, Naples • Supermarket Hours Sun.-Sat • 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

UFO Hours Sun.-Sat. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. • 693-3988

Dead River Co. Range & Fuel Oil Oil Burner Service Tel. 647-2882, Bridgton (12/21x)

Kezar Realty Homes, Land & Vacation Rentals Lovell Village 207-925-1500 KezarRealty.com

(12/22x) Oberg Agency Residential, Business, Lake Shore Property 132 Main St., Bridgton Tel. 647-5551, 888-400-9858 (12/21x)

RUBBISH SERVICE ABC Rubbish Weekly Pick-up Container Service Tel. 743-5417 Worsters Rubbish Removal Trash hauling Docks – Demolition Snowplowing/Sanding Harrison 207-583-6914

(12/21x)

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F. Jonathan Bliss, P.L.S. Bliss & Associates Surveying, Land Planning 693 Main St., Lovell 207-925-1468 blissinc@fairpoint.net (12/22x) Maine Survey Consultants, Inc. Land info services – Surveys Boundary/Topographic/Flood elevation PO Box 485, Harrison, Maine Off: 583-6159 D. A. Maxfield Jr. PLS Over 10,000 surveys on file (12/21x)

THIS SPACE CAN BE YOURS Call 647-2851 for details or e-mail bnews@roadrunner.com

TREE SERVICE Q-Team & Cook’s Tree Service Removal-pruning-cabling-chipping Stump grinding-bucket work-bobcat Crane-licensed & fully-insured Q Team 693-3831 or Cook’s 647-4051 Toll free 207-693-3831 www.Q-Team.com Rice Tree Service – Sheldon Rice Complete tree service – free estimates Removal-prune-chipping-stump grinding Licensed and insured Utility and Landscape Arborist Waterford ME – 583-2474 (3/22x)

VETERINARY

SELF-STORAGE Bridgton Storage 409 Portland Rd. 28 units & 4000’ open barn Bridgton 272-8085

SURVEYORS

Fryeburg Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Medicine & Surgery Route 302, Fryeburg 207-935-2244 (12/21x) (12/21x)

WINDOW TREATMENTS

(12/21x)

SEPTIC TANK PUMPING

Bolsters Decorating Center Custom window treatments Always free decorating consulting bolsters@megalink.net 9 Market Sq., So. Paris 207-743-9202

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JAN 2022

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MAINE DELIVERIES ONLY

R.W. Merrill Electrical Contractor PAINTING CONTRACTORS 24 hour Emergency Service Residential & Commercial Redo Properties.com Naples Computer Services Harrison 583-2986 Fax 583-4882 (12/21x) “AWARD WINNING” PC repair/upgrades – on-site service Interior/Exterior painting & repairs Virus and spy-ware removal Local, experienced & professional FLOORING Home and business networking Call/text 207-693-4663 (Home) (12/21x)] Video security systems Bolsters Decorating Center Webber Painting & Restoration 71 Harrison Rd., Naples 693-3746 (3/22x) Carpet – vinyl – ceramic Interior/exterior painting & repairs Always free decorating consulting Waterfront specialists – Free estimates bolsters@megalink.net DANCE INSTRUCTION Fully insured – References 207-831-8354 9 Market Sq., So. Paris 207-743-9202 (12/21x)

(12/21x) The Ballroom Dance - Exercise - Yoga - Aikido PLUMBING & HEATING Main St., Harrison, Maine FOUNDATIONS Collins Plumbing & Heating Inc. 207-583-6964 (12/21x) Specializing in repair service in Henry’s Concrete Construction The Lake Region 647-4436 (12/22x) Foundations, Slabs, Floors DENTAL SERVICES Harrison Tel. 583-4896 (12/21x) Ken Karpowich Plumbing Repairs/Installation/Remodeling Bridgton Dental Associates Master Plumber in ME & NH GARAGE DOORS Dr. Paul Cloutier Over 20 years experience 207-925-1423 Complete dental care

(12/22x) Roberts Overhead Doors 138 Harrison Rd., Bridgton Commercial/residential – free estimates www.bridgtondental.com PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Now offering Master Card & Visa 207-647-8052 (12/22ºx) 207-595-2311 (12/21x) Clement Bros. Lawn and Landscape Organic lawn & garden maintenance Bridgton Dental Hygiene Care, PA INSURANCE Shoreline restoration Family & Periodontal Dental Hygiene Svcs.

Creative stonework, property watch Infants, Toddlers, Teens and Adults Chalmers Ins. Agency Snowplowing & sanding InNetwork; N.E. Delta Dental & MaineCare 100 Main St., Bridgton 207-693-6646 www.clementbros.com (12/22x) 207-647-4125 bdhc@myfairpoint.net (12/21x) Tel. 647-3311 (12/22x)

COMPUTERS

ATTORNEYS

$275/cord SUPPLY IS LIMITED, ORDER NOW! 2 cord minimum

Green Firewood $225 per Cord

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

CLEANING SERVICES

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10' x 10' Unit – $75/mo.

10' x 20' Unit – $125/mo.

GREEN: $225/cord SEASONED: SEMI-SEASONED: $300/cord

HELP WANTED

CONSULT OUR LISTING OF BUSINESS SERVICES AND LET AN EXPERT DO THE JOB! ACCOUNTANTS

PREMIUM HARDWOOD MIX

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THE BRIDGTON NEWS

FOR RENT

DENMARK — 3 bedroom, 2 bath home w/water access to Moose Pond. Fryeburg Academy school district. $1,000/month plus utilities. Call Mike Grace 1-781424-0506 2t2x

DENMARK SELF-STORAGE

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Masks required. Harrison. 5832312. 10t1x

NOW HIRING

NEED A

­ cleaned up or cleaned out, my — trailer is 7x12. Call Chuck’s Maintenance 743-9889.

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MSAD72 SCHOOL DISTRICT ­­­— (EOE) n Fryeburg, Maine has immediate openings for the following positions: Payroll Specialist, School Nurse, COVID Support Specialist, Custodians, Bus Drivers, Substitutes. Visit www. msad72.org, call 207-935-2600 or come pick up an application today at Door #10, 25 Molly Ockett Drive, Fryeburg, ME. tf2

LOOKING FOR — Interior painting jobs for 2021/2022 season. Fully-insured. Free estimates. 34 years experience. Dirigo Custom Painting. 743-9889.

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Country Living

January 13, 2022, The Bridgton News, Page 5B

RPM receives grant for repairs The Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity in Bridgton has been awarded a grant for conservation and restoration of the ceiling of the parlor in the ca.

1790 Nathan Church House, one of two historic homes that comprise its current museum campus and one of Bridgton’s oldest surviving buildings.

The museum has received $2,500 from the Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust of Portland.

Grant funding will be used to hire Tony Castro of Tony Castro & Company, a historic painting and plaster restoration professional, to remove the cloth wallpaper bands from the ceiling of the parlor of the Nathan Church House as well as restore the plaster underneath the cloth.

The parlor contains Rufus Porter School landscape murals that are among the few examples of this technique still on display in situ. The museum has recognized the need to preserve the historic and artistic value of these walls ever since it acquired the Church House in 2005. With exterior renovations completed a few years ago, including new clapboards and storm windows, the next step to ensuring that this local gem will be available to the public in perpetuity is to address the condition of the ceiling.

“We are truly grateful to have the continued support of the Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust,” said Karla Leandri Rider, executive director. “The Trust recognizes the importance of our mission to celebrate Rufus Porter’s legacy and preserve it for the community and for generations to come.”

Rotarian helps rescue family The Bridgton-Lake Region like to be on the mailing list to Rotary Club jumped into the receive notification of programs New Year 2022 with a wonand volunteer opportunities, derful, heart-warming presene-mail lakeregionrotary@gmail. tation by Jen Fullmer, Rotarian com. from the Biddeford-Saco Club.

Next Up She told (via Zoom) about the The next Rotary guest speakstep-by-step process of the reser will be Gregg Dowty, Ed. D., cue of an Afghan family from from the Dover, N.H. Rotary Kabul. She expressed the effort Club, District 77870 Protection it took by American military Officer, on Thursday, Jan. 20 at in the United States and in 7:30 a.m. via Zoom.

Afghanistan to bring this famHis topic will be, “The ily safely into Kabul Airport Effect of Adverse Childhood hours before the bombing and Experiences (ACE) on Human the airport closing.

Development and Health Jen, a retired Air Force Challenges.” For the Zoom link, colonel, had met the father of e-mail gszoksbox@gmail.com this family, a colonel with the Gregg spent his entire career Afghan military, during trainworking with children, many ing at the War College in the coming from a background United States 10 years ago of adversity. He spent several and had stayed in touch with Rotarian Jen Fullmer, speaker, The Rescue of an decades working in central him. She is now very actively Afghan Family.

ROTARY, Page 6B involved with resettling the family in Maine.

“Jen was just the first of a lineup of speakers on important topics which the Bridgton-Lake Region Club is hosting,” remarked Jessica Putnam, president of the local club. “We have a roster including a speaker on Adverse Childhood Experiences and the impact on human development and health challenges, the training of security dogs by Maine prisoners, and the hazards of mining in Maine. We welcome those who are interested in these topics or in Rotary itself.”

By Allen Crabtree with her lawsuit against the For more information about upcoming Rotary programs, Senior College at Bridgton Marshall Field family over her being hosted via Zoom during January, check out the website Four classes will be offered illegitimate son with the grandhttps://lakeregionrotary.com and Facebook Page. For the in person at the Magic Lantern son of Marshall Field in 1915 Zoom link, e-mail gszoksbox@gmail.com. If you would Tannery Pub, 9 Depot Street, England during World War I. on Tuesdays and Thursdays From then, until her death in from 10 a.m. to noon from 1950, Peggy was always in the Jan. 25 through Feb. 10. Proof news with her series of marof COVID-19 vaccination and riages to wealthy men, some of masks are required. whom died under suspicious Classes for the winter ses- circumstances. These included sion are free to paid members. liaisons with a Russian spy, Mail-in registrations are due English royalty and a South the side with a salad.

by Wednesday, Jan. 19.

African diamond czar. We will One of our favorite vegWhole Grains on Your follow Peggy’s life through gies is the gnarly looking cel- Plate, Tuesday, Jan. 25 — these colorful adventures. ery root or celeriac. Funny in Learn about the importance of Instructor is Allen Crabtree. looks and sweet to the heart, making half of your grain food John Huston’s Key Largo, this vegetable deserves more choices whole grains. Find out Tuesday, Feb. 8 — The recognition! about the many health benefits 1948 film, Key Largo, will be of increasing your consump- Margaret Reimer’s offering tion of whole grains as well for the winter session. This as tasty recipes using them. drama centers on a WWII from Heart of the Plate by Maine-grown grains will be vet, at loose ends after returnfeatured in this discussion ing from the war and sufferMollie Katzen 4 pounds of celery root or that’s sure to whet your appe- ing from PTSD, who finds tite. Instructor is Kathy Savoie, himself in the Florida Keys about 4 cups in chunks MS, RD, UMaine Cooperative during a hurricane. Starring 2 tablespoons of olive oil Humphrey Bogart, Lauren 1/2 teaspoon of salt or to taste Extension.

Peggy Marsh – Her Bacall, Edward G. Robinson Up to 3 tablespoons of milk, half and half, cream or soy Story, Tuesday, Feb. 1 and and Lionel Barrymore, it was Thursday, Feb. 3 — Peggy produced by Warner Brothers milk Marsh was an infamous and directed by John Huston.

Black pepper Use a sharp knife to trim the rough outer skin of the cel- American chorus girl, gold- This is a terrifically tense ery root and cut the center into chunks. Cover with water digger and survivor who burst drama and a classic film noir. in a cook pot and bring to a boil, lower the heat to a mod- onto the nation’s spotlight COLLEGE, Page 6B erate simmer and cook until very tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

Drain into a colander and reserve some of the cooking HOURS: Mon., Thur., Fri. & water. Transfer to a food processor, add olive oil, salt and Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

2 tablespoons of milk or cream and buzz until “mashed.”

Sun. Noon to 5 p.m.

If the mash seems dry, add the next tablespoon of milk Closed Tue. & Wed. and a tablespoon or two of cooking water to bring to your

• Homemade Fudge • Caramels desired consistency. Taste and see if you wish to add more • Fruit & Nut Clusters • Turtles & more! cream, salt and pepper. Serve hot or at room temperature.

German Beers & Wines The Bridgton Farmers’ Market is located at The All Roads Hub (the old Macdonald Motor Building) at 4 Nulty Please present coupon upon checkout Street and runs every Saturday 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 13 2 Cottage Street, Bridgton, Maine • 207-647-2400 through April 17.

2483 White Mt. Hwy., No. Conway, N.H. • 603-356-2663 For a full list of vendors and information on ordering go to https://www.facebook.com/BridgtonFarmersMarket/ or www.bavarianchocolatehaus.com • bch@bavarianchocolatehaus.com contact BFM at bridgton farmersmarket.me@gmail.

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Senior College in Bridgton

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By Nancy Tripp Bridgton Farmers’ Market To me, there is no better comfort food than mashed potatoes. As the potato in its smashed form has become more gourmet, it now sports roasted garlic and olive oil instead of butter and milk.

Red bliss potatoes, not quite thoroughly mashed leaving tender morsels of potato and pink skin peeking through the cream and butter. Yum! But what of sneaking more veggies into the mash and upping the anti? I love to boil potatoes with a rutabaga and a few carrots and mash them all with a few dollops of butter and plain full fat yogurt in lieu of milk or sour cream. Mash them with the hand masher for a textural taste treat or use the stick blender for a creamy dreamy version. The carrots add a bit of sweetness and a lovely blush, the rutabaga a little sweet and bitter bite.

A Scotsman would say boil those taters with a bit of onion and cabbage, smash them just enough leaving something to bite into, top them with some cheddar cheese and pop them back in the oven till the cheese bubbles.

You can mash just about any vegetable. Roasted beets with a drizzle of olive oil, a teaspoon of chopped garlic, a few teaspoons of white vinegar and salt and pepper. Mash a pot full of broccoli with olive oil and a splash of lemon.

Cauliflower with a grating of cheddar cheese, a dash of paprika and salt and pepper. Then begin to create a real mashup and start mixing your veggies or adding different kinds of beans to the mix. I love to use creamy white cannellini beans cooked with onions, garlic and leafy winter greens drizzled with olive oil and mashed lightly. Meat Lovers add some thick cut bacon or pancetta to the beans or taters and serve with a crusty loaf of peasant bread on

Page 6B, The Bridgton News, January 13, 2022

School news

SAD 61 meeting notes Quick takes from last week’s SAD 61 School Board meeting: School reports. LRMS Principal Matt Lokken reported it was nice to see band and choral students perform holiday concerts “live” for the first time in two years.

MS students attended a workshop by SAD 61 Affirmative Action Officer Madelyn Litz regarding bullying and harassment. The program will be heard by HS freshmen next week.

At the December board

meeting, Principal Lokken recognized LRMS students who earned District II band honors: Sylvie Gronlund, Flute; Adeline Hancock, Flute; Ella Gibbons, Clarinet; Ava Cole, Clarinet; Broderick Therriault, Saxophone; Benjamin Barker, Saxophone; Brielle Evans, Saxophone; Brian Harmon, Trombone; Olivia Lindsay, Trombone; and Alicia Fontana, Trombone.

Lokken reported that LRMS has about 70 students enrolled in Band.

Chorus Awards went to

Rotary Club’s Good Citizen Abby Elsaesser of Naples has been selected as the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club’s “Citizen of the Month” for January.

Each month, the Rotary Club recognizes a Lake Region High School student who displays good citizenship and contributes to the school community. The recipient is honored by the Rotary Club and is presented a monetary gift.

Name: Abby Elsaesser Class of: 2022 Town: Naples Parents: Warren and Jenn Elsaesser, and Kelly and Chris Ela Sibling(s): Nathanial and Walker Elsaesser Activities: Field hockey and lacrosse Community activities: National Honor Society and Interact Club Hobbies: Lifting weights, cooking Future plans: Serve in the military then go to school to become a psychologist.

Schools that you have or will apply to: Merrimack, Cedar Crest, Immaculata, UNE, Belmont Abby, University of Montana, and USM. What do you consider as traits that make someone a good citizen? A person who is involved with the community, participates in and out of school events, someone who is honest and responsible.

Who has inspired you to be a good citizen and why? My grampy has

inspired me a lot in recent years. He has been a big influence on the community and impacted many lives in a positive way, including my own. He has built up a great reputation in the town and I will always look up to him to be more alike.

What have you done to make the school community a better place? I am involved with sports and am president of the Interact Club. This allows me to be able to participate in community events.

I also am a CNA and this allows me to make direct contact to be able to better people’s lives!

Why is volunteerism important? Volunteerism is important because it gives opportunities to learn from many different people. It gives people the option to step out of their comfort zone, and allows them to do something from the heart, and not the paycheck.

In the future, what do you see yourself doing to make the world a better place? I see myself as a student counselor, where I can impact children and teenagers every day.

Abigail (Cam) Fudge, Payton Scarboro, Riley Young and Emily Wentworth. The Chorus includes 40 sixth graders, 27 seventh graders and 15 eighth graders.

• LRHS Principal Maggie Thornton reported the school had a successful Admission in a Day event, where college counselors visited the school and worked with interested students to apply to their respective colleges and universities.

At the December board meeting, Superintendent A; Smith indicated that after review of possible dates and considering other activities occurring the only date that will work for graduation is Sunday, June 5, 2022, at 2 p.m. Principal Thornton met with LRHS seniors regarding having graduation at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds or on school grounds. She did a survey and approximately 55% opted for graduation at the fairgrounds. After discussion, a motion was made

by Karla Swanson-Murphy, seconded by Beth Chaplin to approve Graduation for 2022 to be held on June 5, 2022, at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds. Motion carried.

• LRVC Director David Morse reported Main Eco Homes of Bridgton and Winterhaven Builders of Bethel offered internships for construction students.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to apply their skills in several areas from framing, installation and finishing work,” Morse said.

Some students recently toured KBS Homes in South Paris. “They saw a home on a giant assembly line,” Morse said. “The home is completed in five to six days.”

Stone Surface of Naples gave students instruction on how to install floor tile in December, and will return

Rotary

(Continued from Page 5B) Maine. The study of ACEs has found that early adversity increases physical, mental and behavioral problems later in life. Our early experiences contribute to who we become, the health problems we may encounter in the future and the decisions we make later in life.

This presentation will focus on adverse childhood experiences, the potential impact on development, long-term consequences of stress and adversity and its impact on brain development.

Senior College in Bridgton (Continued from Page 5B) Instructor is Margaret Reimer.

Global Economic, Market & Geopolitical Outlook, Thursday, Feb. 10 — The global economy continues to recover from its pandemicinduced slumber. However, as the world rushes to return to normal, severe logjams in the supply chain have constrained economic growth and pushed inflation higher. Meanwhile, the markets continue to hit all-time highs. How long can this continue? Moreover, the upcoming midterm elections

will prove critical for the Biden administration and in China we should see President Xi Jinping confirmed for a third term. These and other issues will be examined and discussed. Instructor is John D. Doughty.

Reservation Forms are available at the Bridgton Library and at the Senior College website www. seniorcollegeatbridgton.org.

Everyone should fill out the Reservation Form by Jan. 19 to reserve a space in the class(es) you wish and return

the form. If you joined or rejoined in September 2021 classes are free. If you are not a member, please enclose a $25 check if you wish to become a member. Classes are $10 for each class you wish to attend. Mail to: Senior College at Bridgton, P.O. Box 308, Bridgton, ME 04009.

If you have questions, contact Kappy Sprenger, Senior College Registration, at 207-647-5593 or seniorcollegebridgton@gmail. com.

American Whitewash

(Continued from Page 1B) tained through the disenfranchisement of growing minority populations, which has increased dramatically since the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee gutted important protections in Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy organization, reports: “Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 7, at least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting.

More than 440 bills with provisions that restrict voting access have been introduced in 49 states in the 2021 legislative sessions.” Those states have legislatures controlled by Republicans.

It is the theft of voice and opportunity, and the tragic consequences are appalling.

While Republicans have challenged scientific evidence on the coronavirus, and some have called it a hoax, black communities and communities of color have been disproportionately impacted, gotten seriously ill, and died.

The CDC reports that “Race and ethnicity are risk markers for other underlying conditions

that affect health, including socioeconomic status, access to health care, and exposure to the virus related to occupation” and (as of Nov. 22, 2021) finds that Black populations are 2.6 times as likely to be hospitalized and 1.9 times as likely to die from COVID-19 as White populations. The broken institutions, systems, and structures could be fixed if these so-called leaders could find the unselfish motivation King preached about.

I hold onto his hope, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” But, I understand my responsibility to call out the bold-faced-racist-lies for the ugly whitewash that they are.

It is time for real action, an end to empty rhetoric and, preferably, moral leaders to replace the racist liars.

Wim Laven, Ph.D., syndicated by PeaceVoice, teaches courses in political science and conflict resolution at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.

PINNING CEREMONY — The SAD 61/72 Adult Education CNA Pinning ceremony took place on Saturday in the Great Room at Lake Region Vocational Center. Grads are seen reading their CNA pledge. Pictured left to right: Arianna Tripp, Bobbi Mullins, Delly Noella Nahimanna, Marlene Paintiff, and Cameron Harrod Clark. in March for a program on wall tile.

Students will be touring Shaw Brothers and Moody’s Autobody.

• Adult Ed Director Madelyn Litz reported the program has 79 students enrolled, and the next course guide is due for launch electronically in mid-January.

• Songo Locks Elementary School has a new, fun place for kids to reach. Lake Region Vocational Center donated to Songo Locks a Reading Clubhouse (approximate value $850).

“A huge thank you to David Morse, Russ Moores, and Julie Perry for supporting this endeavor. I have no doubt the students will enjoy it for years to come,” Principal Bridget Delprete said.

Donations. From Delta Kappa Gamma to Songo Locks Elementary School of book bags with stuffed animals, approximate value $100; from Coats for Kids to Songo Locks Elementary School of 11 pairs of hand knitted hats and mittens for students in need, approximate value $100.

At the December board meeting, approval of the

donation of $504 from Hannaford Helps Schools to Lake Region High School; 24 winter coats from the Knights of Columbus to Lake Region Middle School, approximate value $600; $2,500 from Future Builders to Crooked River Elementary School to sup-

port social emotional work being done by staff.

Next meeting: Monday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. Meeting at this time are via Zoom (links can be found at the SAD 61 website — lakeregionschools.org) for the public, while school board directors meet in-person.

By Madelyn Litz SAD 61/72 Adult Ed Director Are you ready for the New Year?

We hope that our adult education programming is a goal for you in 2022 — we’ve plenty to offer! We are always ready to help you finish your secondary diploma, prepare for college, get that workplace training you’ve always wanted, or give you a great reason to get out, socialize, and take an interesting enrichment class.

Lake Region & Fryeburg Area Adult Education is part of a statewide system, so if we can’t help you with the workplace training, you’re looking for, we’ll help you locate a program that does! Our mission is to provide relevant and accessible education and training opportunities for folks in our area. Our new online catalog — the winter/ spring edition — will be uploaded to our website in midJanuary, so be on the lookout! Visit our website, lakeregion-fryeburg.maineadulted.org, or find us on Facebook!

Here’s to a healthy, happy, and successful New Year!

HEALTH CARE IS BUSIER THAN EVER. KNOW YOUR OPTIONS FOR IMMEDIATE CARE. WALK-IN CARE LOCATIONS Treatment of minor illnesses or injuries, especially good if you are unable to see your primary care provider.

TYPICALLY OPEN EVERY DAY, MORNING - EARLY EVENING URGENT CARE LOCATIONS Treatment for serious, yet non lifethreatening conditions, often with shorter wait times than the emergency room.

If you have an immediate need for medical attention, consider urgent care or walk-in care locations. As always, dial 911 for any life-threatening injury or illness.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Mainehealth.org/wheretogo